Leo L. Kent

Leo L. Kent, 82, of Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away September 1, 2005 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Leo, son of Cecil and Nellie Kent, was born September 30, 1922 in Piedmont, KS. He attended school there but grew up on a farm outside Piedmont. At the outbreak of World War II, Leo enlisted in the U.S. Army. While on leave in Baltimore, before being sent overseas to Europe, he met Mary Patricia Stephenson. Leo and Pat were married on June 13, 1943, and after his discharge from the Army, they moved to Kansas. Upon arrival in Kansas, the couple eventually became owners of a gas station in Beaumont, later purchasing a grocery store. Leo then entered the oil field industry buying his first oil rig in 1949. He formed the Kent Well Servicing Company and moved operations to El Dorado, KS the following year. After his 20-year career in the oil industry, he entered the banking business as chairman of the Allen County State Bank in Iola, KS. In 1967 Leo and Pat moved to Scottsdale, AZ where he established Land Specialists, Inc. to sell and develop land throughout Arizona. After selling the bank, Leo had intended to retire, but during a trip to Denver, he decided to purchase a Wendy's franchise along with John Bertoncino, his best friend and partner. They first owned just one store, but eventually increased the franchise to 20 locations, which they later sold back to the parent company. During this time period he purchased three pizza restaurants in Bakersfield, CA, one of which is still owned by the family, King Leo's Pizza. Leo is survived by Pat, his beloved wife of 62 years; five of his six children: Fred (Alletta) of Sun Lakes, AZ, Gerry Heckman of Sun City, CA, Terry McBreen of Ventura, CA, Daryel (Barbara) of Bakersfield, CA and Ed (Pat) of Manitowoc, WI. In addition, Leo is survived by 11 grandchildren: Darin, Kelli, Sunshine, Brandon, Jason, Jacklyn, Jayson, Bryon, Jonathan, Matthew, Ryan, Matt and Missy as well as 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Reba Spunaugle of Copan, OK. Leo was predeceased by his daughter Glenda Ennis in 1997. Memorial services will be Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at Tempe Mortuary, 405 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ. Leo will be laid to rest at St. Francis Cemetery, Phoenix, AZ. Memorial contributions may be made in Leo's name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or to Sun Health Research Institute, 10515 W. Santa Fe Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351, for Alzheimer's research.