E.L. "Buck" Kent

E.L. "Buck" Kent, 95, of Midland, passed away Saturday, December 8, 2007 at Midland Memorial Hospital. He was born May 27, 1912 in Eldorado, Texas to Albert E. and Carrie Cummings Hill Kent. Buck was the 6th of 9 children and grew up helping his family survive the hardship of losing his father when Buck was only 6 years old. Always the sports fanatic and good athlete, he graduated from Eldorado High School in 1930 and lettered in five sports. He later played semi pro baseball, football, was a professional boxer and even a trick rider during his time in the horse cavalry. He attended business school in San Angelo and also Oklahoma A&M (Oklahoma State). He proudly served his country in the United States Army, Cavalry Division, and served in the last horse cavalry the military had. After his two years in the cavalry, he returned to his native West Texas as a semi-pro baseball player in the employ of Wickett Refining Company, Wickett, Texas.

His initial job duties at Wickett Refining, besides playing baseball, included being a general workman, a yield clerk, and also a traffic clerk monitoring the shipments of refined fuels. He progressed through the company and eventually became President and a major stockholder. His career at Wickett Refining was interrupted during World War II as he was already a civilian pilot and was called up to be a flight instructor for the military. He also served during the war as a ferry pilot flying military planes to the west coast. Buck started Kent Oil Company and Kent Distributors in 1957, operating and supplying fuel to service stations throughout West Texas. He was a founding member and director of a number of companies, including First National Bank of Monahans. He served in many civic roles including director of the Buffalo Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, and was instrumental in the council acquiring the Boy Scout Ranch in Ft. Davis. He was always proud of receiving the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts. One of his most amazing feats was being president of the Monahans-Wickett-Pyote Independent School District school board during a 20-year time span that allowed him to pass out high school diplomas to each of his four children.

Buck married Mary Elizabeth Green, of San Angelo, in December 22, 1939.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Tom and Luther Kent, and four sisters, Inez Alsup, Maude Waldrep, Pauline Means, and Albertine Foster.

Buck is survived by four children, James L. Kent, of Potsdam, Germany; Mary Ann Stewart, of Dallas, TX; Thomas W. Kent, of Austin, TX; and William B. Kent, of Midland, TX. Buck has eight grandchildren, with one on the way. His grandchildren are Amy Stewart, Kent Stewart, Jimmy Stewart, Helen Davis, Julie Lenzo, Jodi Kent, Kathy Tope and Ryan Kent and still working on the name for the ninth; two sisters, Mildred Stanford, of San Angelo, TX; and Pat May, of Grand Prairie, TX. Living to 95, he knew and loved each of his seven great-grandchildren Trey and Tristan Lenzo, Henry Davis, Madeleine George and Miles Tope, and Ava Stewart. He is also survived by fifteen beloved nieces and nephews. As the founder of the Kent Companies, Buck was also 'Father' to hundreds of loyal employees who will miss seeing him everyday at the office.

Pallbearers will be Buck's nephews: Al Stanford, Jack Stanford, Joe Stanford, and his grandsons Kent Stewart, Jimmy Stewart and Ryan Kent, and dear friends Jerry Larned and David Ridings.

A Funeral Service has been scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church of Midland. The Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park, in Midland. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. To place online condolences please visit www.mem.com.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Buffalo Trail Council Boy Scouts of America, 1101 W. Texas, Midland, TX 79701, or to the First Presbyterian Church, of Monahans, Texas, as Buck was one of the founding members, 500 E 16th St, Monahans, TX 79756.