James Hamilton Kent

On Monday morning, James Hamilton Kent died peacefully at home in the company of his beloved wife, Priscilla, as he had wished. His wit and cheer will be missed by those who loved him while his professional accomplishments continue to touch the lives of travelers he never met.

Born in Salina, Kansas, to Roy and Edith Lantz, Jim was Captain of the Corps of Cadets at the Wentworth Military Academy of Lexington, Missouri. Jim's passion for the business of service propelled him to the University of Denver, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. Following graduation, Jim worked at the Denver hotel owned by his stepfather, Rex Kent, whose name he had taken. After service in the Army, in which he held the rank of Second Lieutenant, Jim was hired by Westin International Hotels as the manager of the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel in Denver.

Years of service to Westin led to being named the opening manager for the Houston Oaks Hotel at the Galleria, the city's first five-star, five-diamond property. It was there that he met his wife, Priscilla. Recruited to lead the company's twenty-two Mexican properties, Jim served as executive in charge of Westin's Camino Real brand, and oversaw the construction and operation of properties in Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Mexico City.

Returning to the United States, Jim was named President of United Airlines Food Services, and an Executive Vice President of United Airlines, both owned by UAL, Inc., the parent company of Westin. The Four Seasons chain subsequently tapped Jim to conceive of and manage its Houston, Texas property, and he took the title of Vice President for the state. The 21 Club then recruited Jim to create the company's boutique hotel division, leading to the opening of The Mansion on Turtle Creek, in Dallas, The Remington, in Houston, and the elevation of La Mansion in San Antonio to a world-class hotel property.

Jim is survived by his wife, Priscilla Kent, stepson, Lindsay A. Martin, his wife Gillian, and their daughters, Dale and Lark, of San Antonio, along with his daughter, Kim O'Donnell, her husband Pat, grandchildren, Chad and Megan, all of Houston, and son Bryan Kent of Austin. His family and friends will continue to treasure his ability to make each feel as a special guest in his company.

A memorial service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday February 17 at Porter Loring Mortuary 1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, Texas. The family wishes that in lieu of flowers that friends honor Jim's love of animals through a donation to the Humane Society of Bexar County, 4804 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78229.