Mr. James A. "Bert" Scent

Mr. James A. "Bert" Scent, 81, of Barbourville, passed away Friday evening, November 14, 2025 at his home. He was born July 19, 1944 in Barbourville, the son of the late Albert B. and Lydia Lanien Walker Scent.

Bert was a long-time photographer and reporter with the Barbourville Mountain Advocate and a member of the First Baptist Church of Barbourville where attended the BALL Club the Fishermen Sunday School Class. Bert also served his community as a member of the Barbourville City Council for 16 years.

On February 28, 1976, he united in marriage with the love of his life, Linda Scherrer, and to this union two children were born.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Janet Hume; mother-in-law, Marcella Scherrer; sisters-in-law, Harriet and Janette Scherrer and brothers-in-law, Ronnie Glahn and Wayne Scherrer.

Survivors include his loving wife of over 49 years, Linda Scent of Barbourville; beloved sons, Micah Scent and wife, Missy, of Corbin and Jonah Scent and wife, Marissa, of Barbourville; a sister, Judy Wilson of Barbourville; treasured grandchildren, Bailyn, Jonas, Graham and Grace; several nieces and nephews that he dearly loved; among other loved ones and dear friends.

Barbourville won't ever feel quite the same without Bert in it. He was the biggest celebrity this town ever had - not because he sought it out, but because he shined such a bright light on everyone else. There wasn't a person in Barbourville he didn't photograph, wave at, tell a joke to, or write a story about. If you lived here, Bert made sure you were seen.

We all wish Bert was here to write his own story. Nobody could write the way he did. He had a way of turning a simple Tuesday into something worth remembering. He made people feel important, and that was his gift. His lens captured people in ways they'd never seen themselves before.

In addition to his photography business and working at the Barbourville Mountain Advocate, he loved his time working at Central Elementary School. He loved his students and they loved him.

Bert loved a good joke, and he loved to visit. If he stopped by, you might as well pull up a chair - the conversation was going to be good, and it was going to last awhile. He never met a stranger. He also loved for people to know he loved them. He would yell across a crowded room to a friend who was hard of hearing, "Been bragging about your cooking Nora!," to which she would say, "What!?" and the hilarity of the back and forth would ensue. More than anything, Bert was a good man, a good husband, a good father and a good grandfather. His family was his proudest headline, his favorite story to tell, and the place he poured his heart. Bert loved Linda. There are really not enough words to do justice to the way he felt about her. He flashed that mischievous smile and threw a peace sign across the room and the rest was a love story for the ages.

He loved his boys fiercely and raised them to be good men. He took them fishing and taught them baseball and loved to beat them in ping pong, but he would sacrifice to give them anything they needed. Seeing them as husbands and fathers gave him joy and made him proud.

His grandchildren, Bailyn Jonas, Graham and Grace were the light in his eyes. When they were small, he would take their hand and push it against his cheek full of air and it would make a Donald Duck noise and the kids would giggle with delight.

We'll miss him more than words can say. But everyone in this town carries a piece of Bert - in a photo he took, a story he wrote, a laugh he shared, or a moment he made special. Although he is physically gone from us, his spirit and legacy still lives in this town in the hearts of those that loved him.

His funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Wednesday, November 19 at 2 P.M. with Dr. Fred Cummings officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Barbourville Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Kent Wilson, Steve Smith, Tim Carter, Tim Davis, John White, Justin Powell and Josh DeBorde.

Friends may visit at the funeral home Wednesday after 11 A.M. until the funeral hour.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.