James “Jim” Wesley Kent 1943-2009

James “Jim” Wesley Kent, of Lebanon, formerly of Dixon, was born on October 19, 1943, at Port Jervis, New York, a son of Charles Edward and Anna Bell (Kalin) Kent, and departed this life at 6:30 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2009, in the Lake Regional Health System, Osage Beach. Mr. Kent had attained the age of 66 years and 17 days.

Mr. Kent was united in marriage on February 11, 1973 at Fort Leonard Wood, to Dorothy Faye Nichols. He was preceded in death by his father in 1978; his mother in 1992; one daughter, Karen Fritchey on October 14, 2009; and one brother, Bill Charles Kent.

Mr. Kent was a member of the First Baptist Church, Dixon, the American Legion, in Florida and the North American Hunting Association. He loved to fish, hunt and woodworking. He had worked for Inca Care and later for Briggs and Stratton, Rolla.

On January 17, 1967, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Mr. Kent entered into active federal service in the United States Army and served until February 2, 1987, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, having attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his military career, Mr. Kent served as a mechanic, instructor and maintenance supervisor, serving in Germany as well as Viet Nam. He was awarded and entitled to wear the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Non Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon; Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; 6 Army Good Conduct Medals; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon; Mechanic Badge and the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge M16. A man of excellent character, his “Honorable Discharge” is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Kent include: his wife, Dorothy Kent, Lebanon; one son, Charles Glasscock, Dixon; two daughters and one son-in-law, Patty Bilitzke, Hayesville, North Carolina and Linda and Brad Matherly, Marshfield; one brother, Edward Charles Kent, state of New York; two sisters, Betty Hewitt and Margaret Leonard, both of the state of New York; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted for Mr. Kent at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2009, in the Long-Gilbert Funeral Home, Dixon.

Interment with full military honors will be in the Seaton Cemetery, near Dixon, under the direction of the Long-Gilbert Funeral Home, Dixon.

Memorials are suggested by the family to the Seaton Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the office of the Long-Gilbert Funeral Home, Dixon.