James John "JJ" Kent

James John “JJ” Kent, of Pottsboro, TX, went to be with our Lord and Savior on February 17, 2017 at UT Southwestern Medical Center following complications from heart surgery. He will always be remembered as a loving son, husband, father, brother, and friend to all that knew and loved him.

He was born in Dallas, TX, on November 22, 1971 to Michael and Linda Kent. He graduated from Highland Park HS in 1991 and Texas Tech University in 1997 where he was a proud member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and a loyal Red Raider fan. JJ enjoyed playing all sports growing up especially soccer. He was also an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Learning to hunt from an early age with his father and grandfather, he was able to take his lifelong passion for hunting and make it a career when he founded his company, Kent Outdoors. JJ was a member of Ducks Unlimited since the mid 1980’s and served as a committee member on the chapters at Texas Tech, Texoma, Allen, and Frisco. He was also a co-chair for the Texoma chapter of Delta Waterfowl, a Kids Day Calling Instructor for the Lonestar chapter of Delta Waterfowl, and competed, won, and judged numerous duck calling competitions. He was featured on several hunting TV shows as a pro-staffer for Mossy Oak and several other companies. JJ enjoyed sharing his passion with hunters of all ages and all levels of experience with a focus on family oriented hunts with sons and daughters. He especially enjoyed encouraging everyone to find the beauty in God’s great outdoors.

JJ and his loving wife, Carla, were married April 27, 2002 and were members at Georgetown Baptist Church in Pottsboro, TX. As a solid, lifelong Christian, he held strong to his faith right up to the very end.

He is survived by his wife Carla Kennon Kent, stepson Brandon Sternat both of Pottsboro, TX, his parents Michael and Linda Kent, sister and brother-in-law Kelley and Jeremy Garland, brother Patrick Kent all of Dallas, TX, sister and brother-in-law Rebecca and Luke Whittle of Birmingham, AL, nephews Noah and Declan Whittle, niece Harlow Whittle, parents-in-law Lawrence and Doris Kennon of Pottsboro, TX, and his dog Bo, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Will D and Corenne Greer of Dallas, TX, and Lowell and Mary Kent of Chicago, IL, as well as his beloved black labs Whiskey and Brandy.

The family would like to thank Dr. Pietro Bajona, Dr. Kristina Goff, Dr. Cooper Phillips, and all the doctors and nurses on 9 South William P. Clements Hospital for their wonderful care of JJ.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 21st from 6-8 pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX on Wednesday, February 22nd at 2 pm and at Georgetown Baptist Church, Pottsboro, TX on Saturday, February 25th at 4 pm. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to the Highland Park Education Foundation (www.hpef.org) for a scholarship in JJ’s name. Online condolences can be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com.