Obituary for Larry Eugene Kent

Larry Eugene Kent, age 86, passed away in the early hours of April 16, 2026 due to illness. He leaves behind a legacy of service, dedication, and determination to overcome personal challenges and setbacks he experienced during his life.

Larry was born in Logan, UT, on July 28, 1939. He spent his youth in Brentwood, CA, where he grew into a talented and driven young man. During his high school years, he distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete, playing basketball, football, and baseball. He developed a lifelong love for athletics and the benefits of sport that he later passed on to his children.

At age 19, Larry served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Spanish-American Mission. This mission encompassed Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. One of the highlights of his mission was serving in McAllen, TX, where a temple for the Church now stands. His experience as a missionary deeply shaped his commitment to faith, service, and hard work—principles that guided him throughout his life.

Following his mission, Larry earned a full-ride basketball scholarship to East Texas State University in Commerce, TX. He participated in an ROTC program there hoping to become a pilot, but was turned down for being too tall at 6 feet 4 inches. He went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Education in 1965. His first year out of college he worked in the Highway Patrol before transitioning into teaching and coaching. He taught science and coached basketball and football.

Larry also had a passion for airplanes and jets and contributed his skills in the aerospace industry for a time - working for Ling Temco Vought (LTV) and Aerospace Technologies. Eventually, he decided to return to education, teaching Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL).

Outside of his professional life, Larry remained deeply involved in his community. He served as a chief umpire for girls fast-pitch softball - earning respect for his fairness, leadership, and knowledge of the game. He was later selected to the umpire staff for a national girls fast-pitch softball tournament held in Irving, TX, in 1988. He continued to be a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving as a counselor in a Bishopric, Branch President for the first Spanish congregation in the Dallas,TX Stake, a High Councilor, a Ward Mission Leader and Dallas Temple worker. He was always service-oriented and willing to help others who were in need.

In his spare time, Larry enjoyed some leisurely hobbies. He was an excellent woodworker and had a woodshop in the backyard of his home in Grand Prairie where he loved to spend time making things. He also developed a talent for art and worked to hone the ability to create portraits. He had a great love for genealogy and family history which eventually helped him discover family members he never knew he had through the family line of his biological father.

Later in his life, Larry made some choices which brought him significant and painful consequences. With the support of family, church leaders, friends and counselors, however, he was able to work through that difficult period of his life. In January of 2021, he was able to be re-baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and go on to receive additional opportunities in the Church.

In his later years, he enjoyed fishing, trips to the Golden Coral Buffet, doing crossword puzzles, playing chess, bingo and winning at trivia games. He often had a sweet-tooth for honeybun snack cakes, orange soda, orange candy slices, orange sherbet from Braum's or chocolate frosty's from Wendy's, and a mean craving for Cheetoh's or the cream of mushroom soup from Le Madeleine Restaurant anytime he could get them!

He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his three children - Patrick Kent and his spouse Carol Warren Kent, his daughter Michelle Kent and his daughter Krista Danielle Kent.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the LDS Midway Chapel located at 9509 Midway Rd., Dallas, TX, 75220. There will be a viewing in the Relief Society Room from 5:00 - 5:45 PM followed by the funeral service in the chapel at 6:00 PM. Interment will be on April 24, 2026, in the Logan City Cemetery in Logan, UT. His favorite color was blue, so attendees are welcome to wear that color in celebration of his life if desired.

In lieu of flowers, since Larry always had a missionary heart and a desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, please consider making a donation to the missionary fund in your local church congregation.