Paul Kent

Paul Edward Kent, 83, of Covington, Indiana, life's journey on this Earth ended at 1pm on November 19, 2020. Paul was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on July 2, 1937 to Albert Eugene and Ella Maria Kent. Paul was the middle child of 15 kids. 7 older and 7 younger. Paul attended George Washington Elementary, Cobbett Jr. High School and Lynn Independent Industrial Shoemaking School all in Lynn.  In July of 1954, at age 17, Paul joined the United States Air Force and was a Supply and Personnel Clerk.  Paul spent 3 years in England and played both soccer and football on the Air Force base teams.  In February of 1954, Paul left the Air Force and moved back home to Lynn where he worked as a Counter Cutter and Sole Stapler at Lynn Moccasin Shoe Company. In February of 1960, Paul moved to the west coast and worked briefly as an Office Manager at Black & White Carpet in San Diego, California before enlisting in the Army in July of 1960.  Paul was first stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he met his wife, Barbara (Kilgore) of Rushville, Indiana, who volunteered for the Red Cross along with her sister Carol. Paul and Barb met at a USO dance at Fort Ben and were married on September 30, 1961 in Rushville and moved to Spokane, Washington where Paul was a Company Clerk and Personnel Specialist and served as an assistant basketball coach for the Army team at Fairchild Air Force Base.  In July of 1962, Paul received orders to go over seas to Korea. Barbara, with child, moved back with her parents in Falmouth, Indiana. While Paul was serving a year as a Personnel Assignment Clerk at the Headquarters of the 8th Army Division, Barbara gave birth to their 1st son, David, in February of 1963. Paul completed his service in the Army in July of 1963 and moved back to the states and enrolled in Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Paul majored in English and minored in French and worked nights as a janitor at the university to support his family.  In April of 1964, Paul and Barb had their 2nd son, Bradley. In May of 1966 Paul and Barb had their only daughter, Pamela. In June of 1966, Paul joined the workforce full-time as a Service Manager and Commercial Salesman for Firestone Tire & Rubber in Bloomington. In June of 1970, Paul and his family moved to Terre Haute, Indiana as Paul assumed the position of Store Manager for Firestone. In May of 1971, Paul and Barb had their 3rd son and youngest child, Edward. In June of 1971, Paul accepted a position at Brahler Tire as a Truck Tire Salesman and the family moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana. While in Jeffersonville, Paul and his family started attending Eastside Christian Church. Paul devoted his life to Christ and began attending Louisville Bible College Majoring in Bible and Minoring in Greek.  After graduating in June of 1977, Paul left his job as Office Manager at Brahler Tire and moved to Maryville, Kentucky and became the full-time minister at Maryville church of Christ. In September of 1979 left the church Maryville and later that month, moved his family to Covington, Indiana and became the minister at 7th Street church of Christ, which later became Orchard Hills church of Christ after building a new building on the north side of Covington on a 10 acre plot of land. Paul not only served as minister at Orchard Hills but also made strong roots in the community.  Paul served as Chaplain at Covington Manor Health Care Center, which later became The Waters of Covington.  Paul lead singing, read for story hour, conducted devotion and prayer groups as well as making his rounds to visit all of the residents. Paul's presence was always known to the residents and staff because of his wit and booming voice.  Paul also was known for attending all of the sporting events and cheering loudly. Not only did Paul support Covington athletics through his attendance and spirit he also served as a volunteer assistant football coach for Covington Middle School for 10 years and served as wrestling coach for 2 years.  Paul was a devoted and loving husband to Barb for 59 years and always had time to be the best father to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Paul never made any separation between his and Barbara's family. He loved them equally and they loved back in the same way.  Paul was a stranger to no one and everyone that met Paul felt that Paul knew them. Everyone in town usually received a nickname, either of a famous person with a similar name or, his standard switching the first letter of your first name with the first letter of your last name. Nobody was quicker at this skill than Paul. Whether he hadn't seen you in years or if you had just seen him a little bit ago, Paul would belt out your nickname he had for you and either embarrass you, make you feel special or a little of both. Paul always had jokes to tell and was always eager for a new audience to use his standard material on. Paul served 21 years at Orchard Hills and has spent the last 20 serving Pleasant Mound church of Christ in Georgetown, Illinois.

Paul is survived by his wife Barbara of Covington. His son David of Keller, Texas. His son Brad (Jackie) of Covington. His daughter Pam (Ashley) Messick of Covington. His son Ed of Covington. Brother Myron of Danville, Illinois. Sister Carol (Charlie) Ward of Anaheim, California. Sister Kathy (Buzzy) Ward of Pelham, New Hampshire. Sister Anna Del Favero of Billerica, Massachusetts. Grandson Steven (Brittany) Jones of Oakwood, Illinois. Grandson Raymond Kent of Danville, Illinois. Granddaughter Alyssa (Nathan) Biller of Watauga, Texas. Grandson Cameron (Raven) Jones of Lafayette, Indiana. Granddaughter Amanda (Andre) Cooper of St. Louis, Missouri. Granddaughter Macy Kent of Indianapolis, Indiana. Daughter in laws Susie Kent and Kendall Coniglio.

Great Grandchildren: Derek Earnshaw, Hadley Kent, Maddox Jones, Everett Biller, Sawyer Jones and Leora Biller.

Paul is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents. Brothers Albert (Deacon), John, George, Everette (Harvard) and Daniel.

Sisters Laura, Doris, May, Muriel and Elaine. Daughter in law Angie Plotner.

Grandson Derek and Great Granddaughter Nakota.

A Celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Tuesday November 24, 2020 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Covington, Indiana, 420 3rd street Covington, Indiana 47932. With burial at Danville National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held on Monday November 23, 2020 from 4-7 est. at the funeral home. It is kindly requested facial masks be worn, and social distancing is practiced for all those who attend. Memorials may be made in Paul’s name to Covington Community Foundation. Please join Paul’s family in sharing memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

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