Kent and Jo Ann Lovelace

1936 - 2023

Nampa - Kent was born in Mt Vernon, Texas in 1936. He was the second child of Ira Cloid Lovelace and Ester King Lovelace. They lived in Texas until he was 5 years old, at which time, the family moved to Arizona and eventually to Adrian, Oregon. Kent grew up with a strong work ethic and a deep love of family and friends. If you were his friend - you were a friend for life. He also developed a love for reading as a child. He was known to share or trade books with his sisters and friends who were also avid readers. When he was 17, Kent and his buddy Ron Hulse decided to join the Navy together. There are many funny stories about their hitchhiking adventures during their years of service. After serving 4 years in the Navy, Kent moved to Phoenix and attended Arizona State University. He was a member of Theta Chi fraternity.

Jo was born in Douglas Arizona in 1938. She was the oldest of three children of Arthur Charles Karger and Jean Waterhouse Karger. Her father's career kept the family moving every few years throughout her childhood. As a result, Jo experienced the southwestern states of Arizona and New Mexico and grew to love the culture and climate of the region. She attended Corona High School in Corona, New Mexico where she was the Drum Majorette for the high school band. And she loved to dance. After high school, she attended Arizona State University where she was active in the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.

It was at a Fraternity/Sorority Bonfire in the desert that Kent and Jo met for the first time. They were married on Thanksgiving weekend in 1960 in Flagstaff, Arizona. After a quick honeymoon at the Grand Canyon, Kent and Jo drove the long snowy drive to Wilder, Idaho to begin their marriage.

Kent began a 40 year career with the Simplot Soilbuilders division. During these years, he established many life long friendships which were more like family even to this day. He never turned down an opportunity to move, grow, and develop with the company. This meant moving his family every few years. He was transferred to Idaho Falls, Hanford California, Bakersfield, and finally Manteca California.

The saying, "behind every great man is a great woman" is a true statement when it comes to Kent and Jo. Jo was a devoted mom and wife as they raised their four children together. She was a room mother, 4H leader, carpooled to catechism, managed the home, and prepared a hot meal nightly. There wasn't a task that she didn't master. She learned to can fruit, sew, drive beet trucks during harvest, prepare tax returns. After their children left home, she worked in various positions with the most recent being a teacher at a community college.

Kent and Jo enjoyed nearly 25 years of retirement. Just prior to Kent's retirement from Simplot, Jo supervised the building of their home in Arizona. It was their favorite winter get away. Their greatest joy was having family and friends come visit. They traveled the US extensively. Incredible memories were made. Several summers in Alaska, celebrations in Hawaii, and a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with the church are just a few of their adventures. Kent and Jo's lives were well lived. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage. As their health declined in the last few years, their family witnessed the commitment, deep love, and dedication Kent and Jo had for each other. Kent's earthly journey ended on Memorial Day. Jo followed him just 3 1/2 days later.

Kent is survived by his sisters Francine Haskins and Gloria (Jim) Miller and Jo is survived by her sister Candy (Johnny) Singh And sister-in-law Simone Karger. Their children are Lori Lovelace & Scott Kido, Charles, Grant, Jon, and Maura Kido, Janet Lovelace, Kent Lovelace II, Kent III and Kyle Lovelace, Sam Lovelace, Christopher, Samantha Lovelace, and Shilah & Justin Beamish. They were preceded in death by their parents and Jo's brother Art Karger.

An informal Celebration of Life will be held Saturday June 17 at 4pm at Deer Flat Ranch 1003 W Locust Lane Nampa. Please wear Red or any other bright cheerful color at Kent and Jo's request.