Joseph Yarnall Kent

Joseph Yarnall Kent, 69, of Mechanicsburg, arrived at his final fairway and passed on October 8, 2019 at Arden Courts of Susquehanna, Harrisburg, Pa.

Born in Harrisburg on April 5, 1950, Joe was a son of the late James E. and Dorothy M. (Kirk) Kent, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Cecelia J. (Garrett) Kent, a daughter, Amy M. and husband Kent Randle, grandchildren Jonas and Sloane DuBois, Alexandra, Addison, Ashley and Logan Randle of Louisville, Colorado. Also, a daughter, Laurie and husband Travis Butina, grandchildren Piper and Harper Butina of Lemoyne, Pa.

Joe is also survived by his siblings Christine and husband David Stewart, Toni and husband William Dean of Mechanicsburg, Pa. and Harry and wife Lori Kent of Northfield, N.J. Joe will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews including James Stewart, Joell Stewart, Jessica Spoljaric, Michelle Bogutskie, Nicole Schaefer, Shannon Hall, Shaun Kent, Tighe and Timothy Reed.

Joe graduated from Mechanicsburg Area High School in 1968. His love of and talent for the game of golf led him to work at Armitage Golf Course (formerly Camp Hill Course) and then as Assistant Golf Pro at Range End Golf Club in Dillsburg, Assistant Golf Pro at Hanover Country Club at Hanover and as Head Golf Pro at Gettysburg Country Club at Gettysburg.

An extensive second career in the truck sales industry allowed Joe to make lifelong friends and serve the Central Pennsylvania community he loved living in. From Harrisburg Truck Body to Osterlund Truck Sales, Motor Truck Equipment, H & L Sales, and finally at Cumberland Truck Equipment; his outgoing nature and persuasive personality made him a fixture in the business.

Joe often commented that he wasn't a "fancy guy". Joe's hobbies included making custom golf clubs, hitting balls-at the range or just chipping in the backyard-it didn't matter to him. "Poppie" loved playing, laughing and swimming with his grandchildren, spoiling his wife with his charm and affection and walking his sweet dog, Sadie. He was at his happiest just being: spending time with his grandchildren and family, when he was up to his typical Joe shenanigans while on annual family vacations at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Joe's humor and kindness were the first things anyone noticed about him. His infectious laugh made everyone he met laugh along with him. He loved his family simply and deeply and was a great example of selflessness for his daughters and grandchildren. He often told his daughters that his wife, Cis, was the love of his life and that he was lucky he "caught her early" after meeeting her in high school. His favorite pastime was making memories with those he loved just by being with them. Even prior to his final months, Joe expressed how much he enjoyed music and dancing.

Joe was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD), variant type Primary Progressive Aphasia, five and one half years ago and fought a long, unrelenting battle against this brutal type of dementia with a strong and courageous heart. Joe's family would like to express their gratitude for all the services given to him and his family for all the loving care, kindness and compassion to Artis Senior Living of West Shore, Lemoyne, Pa., Arden Courts of Susquehanna, Harrisburg, Pa., and Kindred Hospice of Camp Hill, Pa. Also, thank you to Father Samuel Dubois and Pastor Brian Harrison.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at the Meeting Hall at Armitage Golf Course, 800 Orrs Bridge Road, Mechanicsburg, Pa. with a service beginning at 12:30 P.M. followed by a reception.

Cremation services handled by Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. of New Cumberland, Pa.
In lieu of of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Joe to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (https://www.theaftd.org/), Radnor Station Building, Station 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA 19087.