Gordon "Kent" Harris Obituary (1933 - 2014)

Gordon "Kent" Harris, 80, of Wapella, died at 8:10 am, Sunday, September 28, 2014 at his home. His funeral will be at 11:30 a.m., Friday, October 3, 2014 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wapella with Rev. Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Wapella. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 2, 2104 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington with the rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice, St. Judes or Central Catholic High School. Kent was born on November 23, 1933 in Waynesville, the son of Bernard M. and Maude B. Cox Harris. He married Dwyn E. Roberts on May 15, 1954 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Downs. She preceded him in death on June 14, 2011. Survivors include two daughters, Susan (Kevin) Fitzgerald of Bloomington and Jackie (Frank) Slayback of Heyworth; one son, Thomas (Karen) Harris of Bloomington; one brother, Stan (Maxine) Harris of Clinton; 8 grandchildren, Jenee (Ben) Slayback-Farrell, Molli (Jon) Wey, Janele (NIc) Knouse, Blake (Samantha) Harris, Kelly Fitzgerald, Joshua Sprague, Megan Fitzgerald and Casey Fitzgerald; eight great grandchildren, Peyton Dwyn Slayback, Ella Lyn Knouse, Maggie Lynn Wey, Madison Ann Harris, Jacqueline Elaine Farrell, Abigail Kay Knouse, Jack Ryan Wey and Grace Ivy Harris; and several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents. Kent graduated from Wapella High School and was a US Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service in Wapella for many years, retiring in 1993. Kent was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wapella and the Knights of Columbus, where he served as past Faithful Navigator and a fourth degree knight. He was also a member and past Fire Chief of the Wapella Fire Department and Elks Lodge. Kent was so very proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kent shares his middle name with his grandson, Joshua Kent Sprague. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.