Jack Thomas Lent

Jack Thomas Lent passed away April 3, 2010. He was born September 14, 1920 in Dennison, Texas to John Frankin Lent and Irene Clark Lent. Jack lived most of his childhood in Dallas, Texas, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School where he played football and ran track. Jack proudly served in The United States Marine Corp, volunteering for service in August, 1941. While serving his country during WW II, Jack saw action on many islands in the Pacific Theater; some of those being Guadalcanal, Tarawa (where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart), Saipan and Tinian. He was in the process of transitioning to OCS in Quantico, Virginia when the war ended and he was honorably discharged in September, 1945. Jack was the epitome of the term "once a Marine, always a Marine". In later years, he was seldom seen without his Marine Corp cap on, and proudly held various offices, and served in various functions, in the Texas Chapter of the Marine Corp Assoc., 2nd Marine Division. After the war, Jack attended SMU receiving a BS in Geology in 1950. The following year he met and married his former wife, Jean Chapman. Shortly thereafter, Jack and Jean moved to Abilene, Texas where he was employed as a Geologist by Intex Oil Company. After a stay in Corpus Christi as District Geologist, they transferred to Midland, Texas where he worked as a staff Geologist until Intex was sold in 1965. Jack became an independent geologist and oil operator at that time and remained independent the remainder of his career. During this time, he found several oil fields in south Texas and drilled many wells with various operators. He was interested in, and active in, the oil and gas industry until his death. Jack was a humble man and an honest man, full of integrity. He was also blessed with a wonderful sense of humor as evidenced by the many practical jokes he and his friends played on each other over the years. He was also a wonderful father and grandfather; spending much time with his children as they were growing up and coaching his son's Little League and Pony League baseball teams for many years. Jack was an extremely good artist and utilized art as his relaxation and as a valued hobby. Over the years he produced many oil paintings, and pen and ink drawings, many of which were displayed in restaurants and various businesses around the state. In 1981 he met and married his beloved wife Sylvia. They spent many happy years together, living in Uvalde, Texas, and enjoying spending time with family and their many friends until his death. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Cynthia Jean Lent. Jack is survived by his wife Sylvia of Uvalde, Texas; son Tommy Lent and wife Toni, of Midland, Texas; step-daughters Lori Langelier of San Antonio, Donna Russell and husband Rick of San Antonio; step-son Robert Dominguez of San Antonio; grandsons Chris Lent of Orlando, Florida, Kyle Lent of Georgetown, Texas, Steven Langelier of San Antonio, Kenneth and Alex Russell of San Antonio; cousin Harley Clark of Dripping Springs, Texas, and many friends, admirers and supporters. The family wishes to thank Hospice of Uvalde for their excellent care-giving and encouragement during his last weeks. A short memorial service will be held on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 3:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church of Uvalde. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the building fund of First United Methodist Church of Uvalde.