Edmond "Ed" Kent

Edmond “Ed” Kent, age 85 of Paris, TN, died Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon, TN.

Ed was born April 13, 1937, in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, to the late Lendell Kent and the late Dorothy Hathcock Kent. He attended Puryear Elementary School and graduated from E.W. Grove High School in 1955. He received his Bachelor of Science in History and Education from University of the State of New York.

He joined the US Army in 1957 and served for 22 years, retiring at the rank of Sergeant First Class in 1979. He was a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician and Paratrooper who served in Vietnam. He was highly decorated, receiving The Bronze Star Medal and two Army Commendation Medals, among other awards. He was a member of Special Forces Association Chapter 33 in Cleveland, TN.

Ed was a member of Puryear Church of Christ where he taught Sunday school for several years.  He was a 50-year member of Paris Masonic Lodge #108 where he was a 32nd degree Mason.  He spent 45 years as a Boy Scout leader, served as a Little League baseball coach, was a member of the Puryear Lions Club, and was active in the Puryear PTA.

Ed spent many years teaching in the Henry County School System and Calloway County, KY School System. He also spent 10 years teaching inmates at the Turney Center Correctional Facility in Only, Tennessee.  He enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, history, creative writing, and storytelling.  Ed had a wonderful sense of humor and spoke several languages.

He was married October 14, 1966, to Paulette Linsman Kent, who survives, of Paris. Along with his wife, he is also survived by three sons, Sean (Mitzi) Kent of Brentwood, TN, Eric Kent of Paris, and Kevin (Gabriela) Kent of San Diego, CA; two sisters, Lyndell (Jerry) Pittman of Olive Branch, MS, and Wanda Webb Scott of Paris; one brother, Kenneth Webb of Tupelo, MS; five grandchildren, Shea Kent, Seth Kent, Ethan Kent, Gavin Kent, and Kaila Kent; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one sister, Janetta Kent, and one brother, Brent Perritt.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242. Visitation will be Friday, April 29, 2022, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, and continue Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.  The funeral service will be Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 11:00 am at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with Mackie Gallimore, Don Campbell, Sean Kent, and Kevin Kent officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Seth Kent, Ethan Kent, Gavin Kent, Jeff Gallimore, Mitch Gallimore, Ben Gallimore, John Tyler Gallimore, and Dan Gilbert. Named as honorary pallbearers are Jerry Pittman, Shea Kent, Kaila Kent, and Amy Kilpatrick.

Burial with military honors will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Puryear, TN.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.