Francis Bud Kent

Funeral services for Mr. Francis "Bud" Kent will be held Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 12:00 PM at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home with Bro. Tommy Espey and Bro. Kyle Naylor officiating. A private burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Francis "Bud" Kent, 85, of Meridian MS, passed away Saturday, October 5, 2024 at The Mississippi Veterans Home in Kosciusko, MS. If you knew Bud, you know that his first love was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was courageous in asking anyone if they knew Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. This boldness inspired him to become a Gideon, serving as President for the Meridian West Chapter. Sharing the Gospel was his life's most important mission. Bud joined the Navy Reserves at the age of 16 and dedicated 20 years to serving our country in the U.S. Navy. During his active duty, he protected our country in the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, and was aboard three aircraft carriers including the U.S.S. Forrestal. His favorite position was as a Flight Engineer on the P-3 Orion. He was recognized as the youngest individual to make Chief Petty Officer in the entire U.S. Navy at the age of 27. All of these experiences created the leader he became for his country and his family. Post-retirement from the U.S. Navy, Bud taught business at Meridian Community College and was the NJROTC instructor at Northeast Lauderdale High School before graduating from Mississippi State University. His wife, Patricia, was the best part of his life's adventures. Bud and Patricia loved to travel all over the United States, even working at Yellowstone National Park together. Their two children, Mark & Dodie, were a source of great joy in their lives. Bud's hobbies ranged from working on long bows, arrows, coin collecting, hunting, and just hanging out telling some of the best stories you have ever heard. He touched so many lives with his humor, knowledge and genuine desire to see people uplifted in this life. He will be greatly missed by many whose lives he has touched. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia Casey Kent; son, Mark Richard Kent (Dana); daughter, Dodie Elizabeth Holder (Larry); grandchildren, Stefan Kent (Martina), Chelsea Shows (Josh), Jake Kent, Hunter Holder, Lauren Kent and Kristi O'Connell (Bobby); fifteen great-grandchildren; sister, Patricia Kent Cody; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick Joseph Kent and Gertrude Morris Kent, brother, Patrick Joseph Kent, Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons International. It was Bud's greatest pleasure to put those little bibles in as many hands as he could. Pallbearers will be Mark Kent, Larry Holder, Hunter Holder, Stefan Kent, Mike Casey, and Josh Shows. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com. The family will receive guest from 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM prior to funeral services at the funeral home.