Thomas Kent

Thomas “Tom” Howard Kent passed away on October 10, 2024, he was born February 2, 1931, to Oren Thomas Kent and Janie Dallam. He grew up in Longview, Texas where he was the captain of his high school football team and voted “Most Handsome” his senior year.

Growing up in a poor family during the Great Depression formed Tom into a very generous, yet frugal man. His work ethic and determination to succeed was honed through many humble experiences. In fact, to pay for his college, Tom drove a Houston City bus and sold bologna sandwiches to his classmates for ten cents each.

Tom graduated high school then attended Tarleton State and the University of Houston, where he played football before a knee injury. Out of college, Tom entered the United States Army as an officer, where he learned to fly airplanes. His career led him to travel the world and see more than most of us will ever be blessed enough to. As an international pilot, he flew to some of the most exotic and extravagant destinations like Buenos Aires but also some of the poorest places in the world, including Bombay. October of 1961, in Houston, Texas, Tom and his first wife brought a daughter into the world. As he continued his career, he was based out of Berlin where his second daughter was born. Flying for Pan Am was his passion and he was able to retire as a captain. 

Tom loved to play tennis, ride horses, and watch his dog Smokey chase wasps on the back porch. While enjoying many hobbies, he was also quite the savvy businessman. From a carwash to warehouses, his entrepreneurial spirit provided many experiences for us to learn from his wisdom. 

In 1988, Tom married Carol and gained three sons. In 1990, he and Carol moved to Brenham, Texas, where he spent almost thirty years as a rancher. While there, he also met a best friend in Andy Hughes. When asked why he chose Brenham to be his forever home, he’d explain how he had seen the world and there was no prettier place on earth than right here. 

Tom was passionate about politics and patriotism. While he may not have always said it out loud, his love for us was on display, one way or another. In his final years, as long as a football game or Fox News was on, he was content. To say he will be missed doesn’t begin to explain the hole in our hearts, but the love and memories we possess, along with the deep faith he instilled in us, will slowly help to fill that hole.

Mr. Kent was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Carol Kent; brother John Kent, the mother of his children, Donna Kent; son, Billy Reeves.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Kent; daughters, Terri Dennis (husband Michael), & Kelly Hartley; sons, Danny Kent and Bobby Reeves; grandchildren, Beau Benfield (husband, Rohn), Ashley Denson, Christen Compton (husband, Byron); Rachel Kent (husband, Aaron Matsusaka), Deidra Reeves, Carolyn Stillian (husband, Chris) Reznor Reeves; beloved nieces, Vickey Burt-Jones (husband, Noel Jones), Gigi Kent, Laura Kent, nephew, Tommy Kent (wife, Yvette Kent); numerous great-grandchildren; as well as too many friends to count.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors, woundedwarriorsproject.org or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, T2T.org or to a charity of your choice. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the Brenham Church of Christ, 2800 Victory Lane, Brenham.