Kent E. Nelson of San Francisco, passed peacefully at the age of 79 on September 15th after courageously enduring years of medical concerns. John Henry, his husband of 31 years, was at his side. Kent enjoyed a day of visiting with many friends immediately preceding his death.
His parents Margaret (Foss) Nelson and Earl Nelson and his younger brother Craig preceded him in death.
Kent is survived by his husband John Henry of San Francisco; his daughter Juli (Tubbs) Nelson of Fort Mohave, Arizona; his son Matthew Nelson of Midvale, Utah; his two grandsons, Tyler and Joshua; and his older brother Neil Nelson of Preston, Idaho.
Kent graduated valedictorian of Preston High School in 1958. He was a Mormon missionary in Paris 1960-63. He received his BA in Speech and Theater in 1964 from Brigham Young University and his Masters in Theater Interpretation in 1968. At Wayne State University he earned his PhD in Theater and Interpretation in 1973.
While at Brigham Young he traveled and performed in the Bob Hope USO tour in Taiwan and the Philippines.
Kent “Doc” was the beloved Theater and Costuming professor at Marietta College in Ohio for 1971-1991. During these 20 years, he co-directed melodramas on the dinner showboat Becky Thatcher. Kent was blessed to hear from his colleagues and students expressing their gratitude for the positive influence Kent had in their lives.
After retirement Kent and John enjoyed the cultural life of San Francisco including their collection of classic films and their Hollywood collection.
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