Fred Kent-Sept. 4, 1950-Nov. 14, 2013
Iley “Fred” Kent Jr., 63, of Hoover, was called home to Heaven on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013. He died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his wife and children.
Fred spent his life in the Birmingham area. The son of Iley and Ima Kent, he grew up in Pinson and graduated from Erwin High School and Jefferson State Junior College. As a child, he was a member of Pinson Presbyterian Church and spent his summers at Christian Endeavor Camps.
Fred spent his life in the Birmingham area. The son of Iley and Ima Kent, he grew up in Pinson and graduated from Erwin High School and Jefferson State Junior College. As a child, he was a member of Pinson Presbyterian Church and spent his summers at Christian Endeavor Camps.
He met his wife of 42 years, Jerri Ann, on a blind date in college, and they raised their family in Hoover. He was a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, where he was a part of the Businessmen’s Bible Study Class.
His greatest joys were serving the Lord and his family. He never parted ways with his wife or children without telling them he loved them, even if it was just a quick phone call. “Love you!” were the words Fred said most often.
He was a lifelong fan of the Crimson Tide, but he enjoyed taking his Auburn-loving daughters, Dawn and Katie, to football games on the Plains. He drew the line, however, at wearing Tiger gear; an Atlanta Braves cap was his compromise.
He and his son, Kevin, liked to play golf and go to Alabama football games.
His greatest joys were serving the Lord and his family. He never parted ways with his wife or children without telling them he loved them, even if it was just a quick phone call. “Love you!” were the words Fred said most often.
He was a lifelong fan of the Crimson Tide, but he enjoyed taking his Auburn-loving daughters, Dawn and Katie, to football games on the Plains. He drew the line, however, at wearing Tiger gear; an Atlanta Braves cap was his compromise.
He and his son, Kevin, liked to play golf and go to Alabama football games.
As a young adult, he drove a delivery truck for Ragland Grocery and knew the city well. He enjoyed its food scene, too. His favorite was a hot dog from Pete’s Famous, with a milk or bottle of “wine,” a.k.a. Grapico.
Fred was a dedicated employee of O’Neal Steel for 36 years, where he worked in the purchasing department. He had friendships across the country at the company’s other branches and among its vendors. As his illness progressed, he was unable to travel to the office, but he continued to work from home.
Fred was a dedicated employee of O’Neal Steel for 36 years, where he worked in the purchasing department. He had friendships across the country at the company’s other branches and among its vendors. As his illness progressed, he was unable to travel to the office, but he continued to work from home.
He was passionate about his work because he loved people. His co-workers were like family to him.
Fred battled an aggressive form of prostate cancer and fought it bravely, never complaining. He considered his illness an opportunity to glorify God, and he embodied 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Fred was always optimistic about beating cancer, and in the end, he did. He is now in a perfect place of peace and joy, with a new healthy body, and his family finds comfort in the fact that they will see him again one day.
Survivors include his wife, Jerri Ann Mathis Kent of Hoover; son, Kevin Jason Kent of Vestavia Hills; daughters, Katherine Ann Kent of Hoover and Dawn Kent Azok of Pelham; son-in-law, Billy Azok of Pelham; sisters, Emma Kirby of Trussville and Suzie Blair of La Vergne, Tenn.; brother, John Kent of Hixson, Tenn; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Survivors include his wife, Jerri Ann Mathis Kent of Hoover; son, Kevin Jason Kent of Vestavia Hills; daughters, Katherine Ann Kent of Hoover and Dawn Kent Azok of Pelham; son-in-law, Billy Azok of Pelham; sisters, Emma Kirby of Trussville and Suzie Blair of La Vergne, Tenn.; brother, John Kent of Hixson, Tenn; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Fred’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and support staff of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Radiology Department of UAB Hospital and Hope Hospice.
The family will receive friends Sunday, November 17, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham. A celebration service will be Monday, November 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills.
The family will receive friends Sunday, November 17, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham. A celebration service will be Monday, November 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills.
Pallbearers will be John Kent, Fred Kirby, Carl Blair, Thomas Blair, Alan Wages and Sam DeVane. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Businessmen’s Bible Study Class at Shades Mountain Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Big Oak Ranch, P.O. Box 507, Springville, AL 35146 and Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Chapters Campaign, 2017 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.
Memorials may be made to Big Oak Ranch, P.O. Box 507, Springville, AL 35146 and Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Chapters Campaign, 2017 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.