Kent Hargrove Harraid

Kent Hargrove Harraid, 38, of Athens, passed away December 14, 2024. Gather with friends and family at the Harraid Home, 1210 W. Cayuga, Athens, Texas, to celebrate Kent's life on Sunday, December 22, 2024. Visitation is at their home from 12:30 - 1:30 pm with a message of Christ's hope and remembrance of Kent from Bro. Mike Dean at 1:30 pm.
Jeff and Kippi Harraid welcomed Kent into the world on May 23, 1986, in Tyler, Texas, and his sister, Kammi, 19 months later. Kent caught everyone by surprise when diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) shortly after entering Kindergarten. Life became a whirlwind of research studies and treatments where the family of four traveled from coast to coast and border to border. Never one to back down from a challenge, Kent surpassed all odds and inspired everyone with his kind heart, tenacity, mental fortitude, and will to succeed. As a member of Fellowship Baptist Church, Kent encouraged others to trust in the Lord, find God's Will for their lives, and never give up.
Kent graduated from Athens High School in 2004. Among his many high school accomplishments, Kent proudly served as manager of the Athens Hornet Baseball team, worked with the technology class building the geodome, won several state competitions in Future Business Leaders of America, and was everyone's buddy (too numerous to list, but you know who you are).
Kent graduated from Trinity Valley Community College with his Associate of Arts degree where he also displayed his talent on the stage in theater arts, sharpened his research skills in criminal justice, and enrolled in every history class he could take. During this time, Kent became a valued docent at the Historical Aviation Memorial Museum in Tyler, where his love of veterans only grew. He respected their sacrifice to our great Nation and loved to listen to their stories of flight and fight. Upon graduation, he continued working with veterans as he began volunteering at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.
In pursuit of his Bachelor's degree in military history majoring in World War II studies, Kent graduated from the American Military University (AMU). As a student there, it wasn't long before the University contacted him to be one of their Ambassadors in promoting the university. Check out this short video clip of Kent at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9xmQws01bk&t=11s
Kent inspired many as one of five finalists selected from a field of 69 candidates for Dallas' "Good Works Under 40" award in 2014. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who volunteer above and beyond to help better their community.
Upon graduation from AMU, Kent proudly accepted the offer of employment from Frontiers of Flight Museum as their database coordinator in the archive department. What an honor to be given this opportunity! With his office overlooking the runways of Love Field and a voice-activated computer, Kent spearheaded a monthly e-newsletter, which he developed and produced for years. He also developed and implemented the ever popular Star Wars Halloween and Honoring our Nation's Heroes annual events. Kent represented the Museum as he and his family trailered the Museum's teaching aircraft to air shows and STEM events throughout Texas. Through work, he met people from fighter pilots to astronauts with many becoming lifelong friends. Kent amassed a vast collection of personally-inscribed artifacts from his experiences and encounters, which he proudly displayed, and would tell their stories to anyone who would listen! Even though in later years Kent's voice became quieter, he still commanded a room with his knowledge and expertise in history, whether it be about the Battle of the Bulge or a battle in the Bible. Kent brought history alive by telling the story of his two great grandfathers, one who survived two gunshot wounds in the Battle of the Bulge and one who survived the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.
Kent's hobbies included traveling to all 50 states with his family, running his RC boats on Lake Athens, going to NASCAR races, and watching college football with his Dad. He enjoyed ice hockey and cheering on the Dallas Stars, star gazing with his hands-free Stellina telescope, and growing tomatoes in his indoor aerogardens rivaling his Paw Paw's bountiful harvest.
Kent is survived by his parents Jeff and Kippi Harraid of Athens, sister Kammi Harraid of Dallas, aunt and uncle Chelli and Don Warren of Tyler, aunt and uncle Kim and Steve Page of Malakoff, aunt Sandi Harraid Pulley of Athens, Grandmother Addie Marie Harraid of Tyler, numerous cousins, and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Leman and Evalena Hargrove, grandfather Travis Harraid, and uncle Gene Harraid.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1434, Athens, Texas 75751 or Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at https://scottishriteforchildren.org/donate/
Kent and his family are fortunate to have such friends as Will Traxson and the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family provide the exceptional funeral arrangements for Kent. Many years ago, Kent approached Will about his dream of going to the moon. Kent's dream will come to fruition with a lunar launch scheduled for early 2026 when a portion of his remains will be permanently encapsulated on a Lunar Lander bound for the moon. Kent's family will share the live feed link of the rocket launch on social media when the time draws near. Yes, this gives "Fly Me to the Moon" a whole new meaning