Philip Alan Zent

Philip Alan Zent, age 85, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 11:05 am on Saturday August 30, 2025, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester. Born on March 4, 1940, in Huntington County, he was the son of Russell and Dorotha (Anderson) Zent. Phil attended Roanoke High School and graduated with the Class of 1958. While in high school he was involved in sports and music. He played basketball (guard), baseball (pitcher) and ran on the track team (440-yard dash). He was also a member of the band (trombone). He was a Music Education Major in college. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana Central College and a Master of Science Degree from Indiana State University. On July 21, 1962, Phil married Ruth Ann Gass at Roanoke United Methodist Church. They were married 63 years. Phil worked as a band director at Brazil High School, East Noble High School and Columbia City High School. He was an assistant golf coach at Columbia City High School. He retired from teaching in 1995 from Whitley County Consolidated Schools. He was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church, lifetime member of the National Education Association (NEA), the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA), and longtime member of the Whitley County Teachers Association and Indiana Band Masters Association. Phil played trombone with Dick Brown's Knights on the Town Jazz Band, The Blue River Big Band and Brass Generations Quartet. He played professional trombone with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic during the 1970's. Phil enjoyed golfing, watching Indiana University Basketball and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife Ruth Ann Zent of Columbia City; children Scott (Carrie) Zent of Milford, IN, and Jennifer (Randy) Zent-Call of Milford, OH; grandchildren Callie (Sean) Kemmerer of Huntington, Ethan (Kellie) Zent of Choma, Zambia, and Chloe Call of Milford, OH; great-granddaughter Linkynn Kemmerer; brother Stanley Zent of Gulf Port, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be Friday, September 12, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 pm at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services for Phil will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 13, 2025, with calling one hour prior to service. Burial will follow in IOOF Glenwood Cemetery, Roanoke. Memorial contributions in memory of Phil may be made to the Columbia City Band program. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Philip, please visit our floral store.