Truett Kent Elliott passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, November 15, 2012, at the age of 93. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 19, 2012 at Johnson's Funeral Home chapel. Kent was born on March 11, 1919 in Menard, Texas to John and Mary Elliott. He was orphaned by the death of his parents at a young age. Kent grew up in San Angelo and sold newspapers downtown where he met local businessmen who would allow him to do errands for them. He worked at Fox's Garage from grade school through high school. In high school he was a member of the Zocas and Senior Scouts. Kent attended San Angelo Junior College and lacked one semester from graduating at Texas Tech. He held a Master Plumber's license but never pursued a plumbing career. He married Bettie Dee Harrison on July 12, 1942. He served in the Air Corp for four and a half years as an aerial photographer and was honorably discharged as Master Sergeant. He worked in sales for Harrison Roofing Company before starting Kent Elliott Roofing Company after the destructive hail storm in 1966. He was a loyal and lifelong member of the Business Men's Bible Class, chaired many committees and served as president. He said he held every office except piano player, song leader and teacher, “..for obvious reasons”. He was a past chancellor commander of Lodge 46, Knights of Pythias, and was awarded his 50-year pin in 1994. He supported and was active with the West Texas Boys Ranch for many years, putting several of the young men to work and mentoring them after they left the ranch. In the 1960s, Kent was known to drive his El Camino, with ladder on rack, to burglary calls downtown. The police officers would use the ladder to check roof entrances into the buildings. Around the mid-1970s, Kent was instrumental in forming a group of San Angelo business leaders to ring the bell for the Salvation Army downtown on Christmas Eve day. Kent could always be found by his grandchildren toting dollar bills in front of the Hemphill-Wells department store. In 1989 he was made an honorary member of Bombardiers, Inc. for his research in locating pictures of generals, officers and cadets of San Angelo Army Field, also known as Concho Field and later named Mathis Field. Kent enjoyed photography, gardening, fishing and hunting, square dancing, traveling in his motorcoach and attending Dallas Cowboys games; but foremost, he loved spending time with his family. He had season tickets and attended Central Bobcat football games until age 85. Kent maintained his tremendous sense of humor and heart of gold to the end. Kent and Bettie had three daughters, five grandchildren and nine greats. He was predeceased in death by his parents, foster parents Marvin and Mattie Fox, his loving wife of 68 years and two daughters, Cynthia Kay Hanson and Linda Dee Buford. Survivors include his daughter, Molly Smith Christensen and husband Chris of Benbrook, sister-in-law Maxine Harrison of San Angelo and several nieces and nephews. Grandchildren: Kay Hanson Biggs of Willow Park, Daryl Hanson of Albuquerque NM, Renay Smith Johnson of Dallas, Rhonda Dee Buford and fiance Jesse Head of Fort Worth and Amy Dee Pucel and husband Bobby of N. Richland Hills. Great-grandchildren: Joshua Kent Biggs, Ciara Linee Hanson, D.J. Hanson, Alicia Marie Hanson, Blake Richard Johnson, Brandon Kent Johnson, Rachel Ann Johnson, Baylee Dee Pucel and Abby Dee Pucel. The family would like to sincerely thank the many dedicated staff members of The Allison House at Sagecrest Alzheimer's Care Center for their excellent care and compassion given to Kent over the last five years. Much appreciation goes to Dr. Chris Barnett and Dr. Gary Nussey for their many years of treating and caring for Kent. In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations in memory of Kent Elliott be made to Meals for the Elderly or a charity of choice. Family and friends are invited to share your thoughts and memories by signing an online guest book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com. To our loving Daddy, PawPaw, Papa - “Last look”.
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