Thomas "Kent" Langley

Thomas "Kent" Langley Hilton Head Island, SC Thomas "Kent" Langley, 72 of Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island passed away Wednesday, March 22nd at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. Kent was born in Greenwood, SC August 11, 1944 to Clara Bell (Johnson) and Thomas Riley Langley. Kent attended Greenwood High School where he was a percussionist in the marching band and a member of the National Honor's Society. He matriculated to Clemson University, graduating in 1966 with a degree in Mathematics. Kent was awarded the David Jennings Fellowship and proceeded to complete a Master's Degree in Industrial Management in 1968. While at Clemson, Kent was a member of the ROTC. After completing his Master's Degree, Kent began his career in public service as a 1st Lieutenant during the Vietnam War. Kent served in Vietnam from 1969 through 1970, and was awarded The Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in a combat zone. After Vietnam, moved to Georgetown, SC where he worked as a Law-Enforcement Planner for the Waccamaw Regional Planning & Development Council. In 1972, Kent became the first full-time manager of the Sea Pines Public Service District. In 1974, Kent became the General Manager of the Forest Beach Public Service District, performing in that role for 22 years with executive creativity. During his tenure, Kent was instrumental in creating the Sea Pines Forest Beach Fire Department, including recruiting the first paid Fire Chief and professional firefighters for the newly formed Fire District. Under Kent's leadership, the Sea Pines PSD and Forest Beach PSD were combined into an entity now known as the South Island Public Service District where Kent served as the General Manager from its creation in 1996 until his retirement in December 2010. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the restoration of the 104-acre wetland area of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, where reclaimed water restored the formerly dry "wetland" to its natural state. One of Kent's notable accomplishments was the creation of a reverse osmosis water treatment plant, the only well of its kind in the nation, which draws water from deep in the Earth that has not seen the light of day for seventy-one million years. This well provides high-quality uninterrupted drinking water for the south end of the island and will do so for generations to come. In 1979 Kent met the love of his life, Colleen, at an oyster roast Colleen was instantly charmed by Kent's excellent choice of music. They were married March 2nd 1983 at First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head Island. Kent was an avid golfer, spending many wonderful days with his Wednesday Golf Group. His love of golf and Clemson football eternally bonds him with his loving sons Whitfield and Ross. Together, Kent and Colleen opened their hearts and their home to family and friends for countless holidays, parties, and special occasions. His friendship, wisdom, wit, and presence will be dearly missed. Kent was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his loving wife Colleen Barbara (Stolarcyk) Langley, and sons Whitfield Owen of Hilton Head Island and Thomas Ross and his wife Anna Lawson Langley of Mount Pleasant, SC. Kent is also survived by his sister Riley Claire "Sissy" Polk and her husband Eugene Edgar Polk of Columbia, SC., and brother Joe Whitfield Langley and his wife Carol Langley of Greenwood, SC. Also surviving is brother-in-law Stan Stolarcyk and his partner Terry Simmons, and Kent's great life-long friend Monty Weaver, all of Hilton Head. Kent was a wonderful uncle to nineteen nieces and nephews and fifteen great-nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11am Monday March 27th at Holy Family Catholic Church, 24 Pope Avenue Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Volunteers in Medicine Clinic Hilton Head Island, PO Box 23858, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 or to Main Street Youth Theatre PO Box 5252, Hilton Head, SC 29938.