Edward T. Kent

Edward T. Kent, age 88 of Wausau, passed away on Monday, November 23 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a courageous four year battle with cancer. Edward was born July 8, 1927 in Chicago, IL. Being from Chicago, he was a devoted Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks fan. Ed served in the United States Army Air Corps and received an honorable discharge in 1946. In 1952, Ed met the love of his life, Norma, and they would be joined in marriage on October 3, 1953. In 2003, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a memorable trip to Disneyland in Southern California with their sons and their families. In 1962, Ed moved his young family to Wausau when he took a job as an industrial engineer at Marathon Electric. Later he would work at Murray Machinery and Marmet. In the 1980's he began a new career as a real estate agent, and his own business "American Dream Reality". During his time in Wausau, Ed was notably involved in youth baseball as an umpire for over thirty-five years, on all levels of play. Ed umpired Little League, Junior league, Babe Ruth, High School, American Legion, Adult Baseball Leagues, and High School Girls Softball. For over thirty years Ed served as the Umpire in Chief for Wausau Little League and also served on the Board of Directors. In 1972, Ed attended the Little League Baseball Umpire School in Williamsport, PA. Ed's credentials include umpiring in ten Illinois State Big League Championship Tournaments along with a Little League State Tournament and Big League Central Regional Tournament, also in Illinois. He also umpired in two Wisconsin American Legion State Tournaments. At the national level his accomplishments include: 1976 Little League Central Regional (Dayton, OH), 1980 Big League Central Regional (Grand Rapids, MI), 1981 Big League World Series (Fort Lauderdale, FL), 1984 Little League Central Regional (Wausau, WI), 1985 Junior League Central Regional (Fort Wayne, IN), 1986 Junior League State Championship (Marquette, MI), 1986 Junior League World Series (Taylor, MI), 1988 Senior League Central Regional (Peru, IL), 1989 Senior League World Series (Kissimmee, FL). But his most treasured memory was having the honor to return to Williamsport, PA to umpire in the 1977 Little League Baseball World Series. In 2012 Ed was honored for his many years of umpiring by being inducted into the Central Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame. He was very proud to be able to share this honor with his family and friends. Ed's talents were not just limited to being on the baseball field. In the spring he could be found operating the score boards for Wausau West, Newman Catholic, and DCE baseball games. In the fall he worked the scoreboard for West and Newman football games and volleyball matches. For over 25 years he was the clock operator for Wausau West boys' and girls' basketball games, and 35 years at Newman Catholic. In 2010 Newman Catholic honored him for his 35 years of service with Ed "Clock Kent" Night. Ed was also known for his famous homemade chicken dumpling soup, cheese cake, bread pudding, but especially his grandchildren's favorite, banana cream pie. Ed is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years Norma. Sons Dave (Pat), Rick (Lisa), and Jon, grandchildren Ricky (Tenley), Ryan, Ryder, and Kelcee, great grandchildren Trey and Grant. He will also be greatly missed by his many nieces and nephews and his good friends he has known over the years. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Catherine and Joseph, stepmother Caroline, sister Estelle, and brother Henry. The family would like to express their gratitude to the Aspirus Wausau Hospital ICU doctors and staff and would also like to extend a special thank you to the Aspirus Regional Cancer Center nurses and Dr. Ahuja for their compassionate care. Memorial services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau. Friends may call Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of services all at the Stewart Avenue funeral home.