Malcolm Keith Arent Sr.

Arent Malcolm Keith Arent, Sr., 63, formerly of Lancaster, Ohio passed away unexpectedly at his home in Reynoldsburg, Ohio on Thursday, May 22, 2014. M. Keith Arent was an employee of the Barcus Company, where he was employed as a property manager. Keith was a proud retired veteran of the United States Army. He was a 1968 graduate of Lancaster High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies from Texas College. Prior to joining the Army, Keith spent a short time working at Anchor Hocking in Lancaster. Keith dedicated 30 years to the United States Army. He served from 1970 to 1999, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major of the United States European Command Headquarters 6th Area Support Group in Stuttgart, Germany. Keith served our country with distinction, earning the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. The discipline, leadership, and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him. Keith never met a stranger, and was known for his compassion. He took pride in a hard day's work. He always smiled and had a kind word or a funny joke for anyone he interacted with. Keith had a passion for reading, a passion for history, and most of all, a passion for his family. He was a very loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Keith married the love of his life and is survived by his devoted wife, Luzmila "Lucy" of Reynoldsburg; two sons, Malcolm Keith Jr. and Katie (Poling) of Lancaster, and Michael Kevin and Lisa (Gutierrez) of Blacklick; also one daughter, Marquesa Kathlene and Joseph Ortega of Charleston, SC. He is also survived by his caring mother, Betty J. Arent; and sisters and brother in laws, Michelle and Jerry Mathias, Melody and Thomas Bobbitt, and Melissa Arent, all of Lancaster. Keith also leaves behind six lovely grandchildren that were his pride and joy and knew him as "Papa", Madison, Kevin, Marisol, Danica, Malcolm Keith III and Javier Ortega. Keith has many loving aunts and uncles from both the Arent and Reid family and numerous cousins that he grew up with in Lancaster before beginning his long life journey with the United States Army. He is preceded in death by his father, his life mentor Peter E. Arent and his grandparents, who assisted in "honing" his patriotic love of this nation John and Bertha Reid and Fred and Erma Arent. Visiting hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 at COTNER FUNERAL HOME, 7369 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio where his funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Keith will be laid to rest at the Veterans Garden at Forest Lawn Cemetery with military honors. Messages may be sent to his family by visiting www.cotnerfuneralhome.com.