Kent Eugene Poe

Born Tuesday, January 24, 1950, in Muncie, son of Edgar Eugene Poe and Sharon Poe-Keesaer.

In 1964 Kent was the youngest inductee into the Eagle Scouts.

Graduate of Muncie Central High School class of 1968, Kent was on the Varsity track team holding track records until the 90’s. Following high school, Kent volunteered at the Indiana School for the Blind as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War.

Music lover and first-wave hippie, Kent went on to become the District Manager of Karma Records in Indianapolis, Muncie, and Louisville, Kentucky for many years where he could put his extensive knowledge and passion for music to use, even winning the “Longest Hair in America” award. He later managed the Bottomhalf retail store and ultimately retired from Borg Warner after twenty years in service there.

Kent was passionate about health, karate (brown belt) and body building throughout his life, winning many physique competitions in Indiana and Virginia, and ultimately winning Mr. Virginia and Mr. East Coast at sixty-two years old.

He loved animals, raised wolves, and was happiest rescuing abandoned animals of all types, dogs, cats, even a raccoon that he raised from birth that for years would affectionately clean his beard when he held it.

His childhood heroes were Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan), where his passion for bodybuilding was born, and Jay Silverheels (Tonto), where his life-long obsession with Native American history began; building an extensive autodidactic knowledge of Native Americans and early US settlement history; amassing a massive collection of Native American artifacts, reproductions, and antiques; participating in re-enactments, “rendezvous” and donating to various tribes throughout his life. Often seen in Native American breechcloths and belt polishing his conestoga wagon on North Virginia Avenue.

Survivors include his son, Jesse Poe, daughter-in-law Daniela, and his grand-daughter Agata Nina; four siblings, Judy Hatley, Connie Poe-Bender, Tony Poe, and April Winters, (husband, Robert); longtime companion, Cheryl Baker Alexander; several nieces; nephews; and cousins.

His parents, Eugene Poe and Sharon Poe-Keesaer, preceded him in death.

A Memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, August 19, 2021, at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47303.

Family and friends may call at Elm Ridge Funeral Home from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be sent to A.R.F. (Animal Rescue Fund), 1209 West Riggin Road, Muncie, Indiana 47303.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elmridgefuneralhome.com.