Obituary of Lowry Kent

KENT ~ Lowry Gerald "Gerry" Kent passed away at the Vermilion Health Centre, Vermilion, Alberta on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at the age of 75 years. The Funeral Service for Gerry was conducted from Marwayne Community Hall, Marwayne, Alberta on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. The eulogy was given by Jack Tyner. The music during the service was accompanied by trio, Ella Kent, Janet McLennan and Miriam Doull and pianist, Debbie Greiner. The hymns sung were "How Great Thou Art" and "It Is Well With My Soul." The active pallbearers were Ken Vivien, Barry George, Francis Carlson, Ian Marr, Lloyd Gray and Sean Skelton. Interment was held in the Irwinville Cemetery, near Marwayne, Alberta. Donations in memory of Gerry may be made to the Marwayne Cemetery Fund or Irwinville Cemetery Fund. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy by Jack Tyner Gerry was born to Gerald and Edith Kent, on September 5, 1938. He passed away in the Vermilion Hospital on February 19, 2014. Gerry leaves to mourn: his loving wife, Peggy; brother Ted (Audrey); sister Phyllis (Don) Skelton and his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and nephew, Donny Kent. Gerry started school in Irwinville, then Stretton and then to Marwayne where he finished his education, at the same time helping on the Family farm. After finishing his education, he went to the Coast to work with his uncle, Angus Good, at White Rock. For a few years he and his cousin, Rob McKerihan, worked for Russel Swanson at Quadra Island, B.C. doing carpentry work. In time he received his Journeyman Papers. In 1964 Rob, Gerry and Jim McLachlan took a trip to Acapulco, Mexico in Jim's car. Rob said the roads were not good. It was quite a trip. In the meantime Gerry bought his farm land. Gerry and Peggy were married in 1966, and lived on their farm north of Marwayne. Todd and Jeanine Hames are the benefactors of the time and effort Gerry and Peggy put in to make their yard the beautiful place it is. Gerry started to do more and more carpentry work and along with his cousins Rob McKerihan and Mac Kent built houses for the Co-op in Lloydminster. Later on he added cement business to his life. He had a good knowledge of plumbing and wiring, so when you hired Gerry you got the whole package. Rob worked with Gerry for about 20 years and said they built everything from houses to corrals, all the way from Marwayne to Paradise Valley. I was always amazed by the way Gerry could look at a pile of lumber and grab his saw and start cutting and soon there was a project ready to put together. When the waiting room was built onto the curling rink, Gerry planned it and supervised the building of it. Gerry was a good farmer, but if machinery wasn't green it was no good. His first tractor was a 730, he refurbished it. Peggy and Gerry loved their cabins at the lake and also did a lot of traveling. I think they went to Alaska four times. Gerry got interested in model tractors and toys, and his collection of them was immense, what he couldn't find he built. I marveled at the intricate work he could do with those big hands, and a slight tendency at times to become a bit impatient. Gerry and Peggy started going to Arizona in 2000 and again Gerry became involved in crafts and building things. That is where he made a lot of his beautiful woodwork that Phyllis calls "Intarsia," which means tapestry in wood. This beautiful woodwork and furniture grace their house. Phyllis told me, when they had their farm sale, Gerry sold a box of junk that had lots of locks and hinges etc. in it, and he missed it badly, but then he went to somebody else's sale there was his box of junk, and he bought it back for less than he sold it for. While in the hospital, he had many visitors. He had one very special visitor come once and a while. They called her "Gee Gee" the therapy dog, Lee and Marilynn's Corgi, who was allowed to come to see him. We all know he loved those little dogs. Gerry was a good community worker always ready to share his energy and skill to any project. Through their summers at the lake and winters in Arizona Gerry and Peggy made many lasting friendships. Gerry was a good friend, and we will miss him badly, but his memory will stay with us. Card of Thanks We would like to thank Dr. McLean, Dr. Stewart-Hunter and the staff at Vermilion Health Care Complex for all their compassionate care they gave Gerry during his stay. Thank you to all the faithful visitors for their visits and snacks, to all our friends for all the phone calls, sympathy cards, meals, baking, donations to various charities and beautiful flower arrangements. Your generosity will not be forgotten. Thank you Rev. Aldrich for officiating also thank you to the pall bearers. Thank you to Ella, Janet and Miriam for your singing, and Jack for the eulogy. To Sean and Donna Lee many thanks for the hours spent preparing the powerpoint presentation. To Deb Greiner many thanks for the beautiful music. Colleen's Catering supplied a delicious lunch. Thank you to McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. for their compassion and valued help with all details. In lieu of thank you cards a donation has been sent to Friends of Vermilion Health Care Complex. Peggy Ted, Audrey & Family Phyllis, Don & Sean Marilynn & Kelly