Frederick Heber Kent Jr.

1930 - 2017

KENT Frederick Heber Kent, Jr. passed away January 24, 2017. He was born on May 18, 1930 in Jacksonville, FL to Frederick Heber Kent and Norma Cleveland Futch. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother James Cleveland Kent, and his wife of 21 years, Helen Anne Steele Kent. Fred graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University, where he received a BA in Economics. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, served as a pilot during the Korean War, and continued his service as a Lieutenant until 1961. He attended the University of Florida Law School and was a member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1960. Fred was a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, The American Bar Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He served on the Board of the Speech and Hearing Center and was president of the board in 1965. He was a Trustee of the Bolles School and a Director of Riverside Hospital, serving as its Chairman in 1988. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville for 50 years and a Paul Harris Fellow. A Deacon and a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, Fred's final church home was Riverside Presbyterian Church. Fred married Helen Steele in 1993. She shared his love of sailing, and together they enjoyed years of travel around the world. An avid tennis player, he read P.G. Wodehouse and was a fan of John Wayne and all things western. A true southern gentleman, Fred loved Florida football, Kentucky bourbon and Virginia peanuts. Fred is survived by his sister, Norma Lockwood and his brother, John Kent, as well as his children, Linda Steadman, Fred Kent III (Adrienne), Julie Traylor (Hamilton) and Hazen Kent (Cinde); grandchildren, Julie Burkhalter, Catherine Richardson, Renee Lewis, Leslie Kent, Margaret Traylor, Katie Traylor and Thomas Kent; four great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his step-children, David Helmick III, Scott Helmick, Ann Kovacevich, Caroline Sory, and Robert Helmick. Fred's family would like to thank the caring staff of Arbor Terrace Memory Care and the wonderful caregivers who attended him at St. Vincent's Hospital and Community Hospice. A memorial service will be held at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204, on Friday, January 27, 2017 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Fred's name be made to Riverside Presbyterian Church. Arrangements entrusted to Hardage-Giddens, 729 Edgewood Ave. S., Jacksonville FL 32205