Kent Pyle

Kent Edward Pyle, age 87, passed away in the early hours of January 7, 2025. at his home in Clinton, MO. Kent passed peacefully in his sleep after a long period of declining health. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Clinton Regional Airport Terminal (396 E Hwy 7) in Clinton, Missouri. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Golden Valley Hospice and may be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansantmillsfuneralhome.com.
Kent was born to Frank and Mary (Gaede) Pyle on June 11, 1937 in Bloodland, Pulaski County, Missouri. He grew up on the Pyle farm outside of Versailles, MO and attend Versailles High School before graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in Science Education.
Kent is well-known for his life-long love of flying and all things airplanes. While attending MU, he worked with the Air Explorers in Columbia. In exchange for his volunteer work, he was given informal flight lessons by a local businessman who owned several private aircraft. When he wasn't flying or talking about airplanes, he was busy building flying model airplanes. Kent also began his long friendship with fellow pilot Alden Shipp through his work with the Air Explorers. The Air Explorers were a program of the Boys Scouts of America from 1949 to 1965 and were formerly known as the Air Scouts. Kent obtained his private pilot's license in the early 1960's.
After graduation, Kent served as a Trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. As a member of Troop F, he was assigned to Calloway County, MO and made his home with his family in Fulton, MO. Through his connections he made while flying, he began his career in banking at the Fulton National Bank. Kent worked as an officer of the bank and also piloted the president of the bank on many business trips. Kent's career in banking continued for over 3 decades. While living in Fulton, Kent served on the City Council, was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce and owned a real estate brokerage. In 1974, the Pyle family moved to the west central part of the state when Kent became branch manager of the Farm & Home Savings and Loan in Clinton, MO. While working at Farm & Home, Kent often delighted his customers with static displays of the many radio-controlled flying model airplanes he built. His office was decorated with many pictures of his model planes. When Farm & Home was acquired by Roosevelt Bank, Kent continued as branch manager before moving into financial planning with the Bill Houck Agency. Kent and his wife Mary Anne moved to a home near the Golden Valley Memorial Airport east of Clinton in 1988. This new home allowed Kent to fly radio-controlled airplanes from his backyard whenever he wished and gave his workspace to build two full-scaled experimental aircraft. Kent once owned what was arguably one of the largest private collections of aviation and model airplane magazines in the country. He also served on the airport board for many years.
The first full-scaled manned airplane Kent built was a Warner Spacewalker II, FAA registration N301KM. The Spacewalker II is an open cockpit, 2-seater taildragger design and Kent enjoyed flying it whenever he could. In 2004, Kent completed his second homebuilt aircraft, a TR-4 Kis Cruiser, FAA registration number 302KM. Both his planes have been featured online and photos printed in flying magazines. A photo of Kent's Kis Cruiser is featured in the Wikipedia entry for the TR-4 Kis Cruiser.
Kent not only an enthusiastic builder and flyer, but was known as a patient mentor and trainer for those interested in model aviation. He helped found the Golden Valley Radio Control Flying Club and was instrumental in creating the club flying field south of Clinton on Highway 13. Kent also enjoyed working with youth and gave presentations on building hand-launched gliders and geology to local home-schooled students. He was active in the local Experimental Aircraft Association and especially enjoyed participating in the Young Eagles program and was honored to give 307 young people their first flight in an airplane.
Anyone who met Kent remarked on his sense of humor. He loved telling jokes and had many entertaining stories and not all his stories were about airplanes.
Kent is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Anne (Seeley) Pyle and his three children, Ellen Taylor of Warrensburg, MO, Jeffery Pyle of Camdenton, MO and Nancy Anne of Columbia, MO. Kent and Mary have five grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary, his sister Georgia and brother Galen.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.