Obituary of Dale Emery Kent

In Loving Memory

Dale Emery Kent

December 9, 1944 ~ November 4, 2023

Our Dad, Dale Emery Kent was born to parents Gerald and Lydia Kent.  He spent his childhood on the family farm SW of the big town of Rosalind with his siblings Helen, Geraldine and Dwight.

Dad left home at the age of 16 and pursued a variety of jobs until he discovered his passion for welding.  He started his apprenticeship in Alix with John Hennel Welding.  He finished his apprenticeship in Stettler a few years later with Thieme’s Welding and obtained his journeyman certification.

In 1965 Dad met the love of his life, our mom, Melody Adair.  Dad and his friend Stan Lohr and Stan’s girlfriend, a friend of Mom’s at the time, stopped by the Adair farm.  It must have been love at first sight because after two years of courting they were married on July 21, 1967, in Donalda.  Their first son Robert Dale "Bob" was born on August 30, 1968, in Stettler.  Shortly after Bob was born the family packed up and moved to Edmonton where Dad had a job with R Angus.  Their second son Gregory Gerald was born at the Royal Alex Hospital on October 5, 1970.

In 1971 Dad was presented with a job opportunity at the Halkirk mine from Wayne Longshore.  He met with the manager Roy McBride and was hired on the spot.  This was the beginning of Dad’s long career at Manalta Coal.  Dad, along with his helper Dave Chick, played a big part in the construction of Big Foot with his company Dale’s Mobile Welding and then continued as maintenance supervisor for the course of his career there.  Dad made many lifelong friends while working at the mine.  In December 1971 Dad and Mom purchased the longstanding house on the corner in Halkirk where Mom still resides 53 years later.

Dad and Mom must not have had their hands full enough because they decided to add to the family once again.  They were blessed with me, Richard Allen on February 3, 1973, in Stettler.  And on September 3, 1975, our family was completed with the birth of Jeremy Dean, born in Stettler as well.  Dad believed strongly in family, so many weekends were spent camping and fishing.  Snowmobiling and tobogganing were winter fun for the family.  Dad enjoyed helping us boys with our interests such as baseball, Junior Forest Wardens and 4-H small engines. 

Not only was Dad a family man but community was very important to him.  Over the years Dad has served his community with pride.  He belonged to many boards and committees and was on village council for many years.  Many firsts for the community had Dad playing a major role in bringing them.  A few examples are the water tower, Halkirk’s first fire truck, the Shirley McClellan water line and the Bullarama just to name a few.  He was a proud member of the Halkirk Elks for 45 years!  At the recent monthly Elks meeting it was apparent that Dad’s passing will leave a big hole in the club.  He would have been very honored with the nice ceremony held for him. 

On August 10, 2004, Dad and Mom were dealt a huge blow with the loss of Jeremy.  Once again, our little community and family rallied and really helped support Dad and Mom through this time. 

Dad was especially proud of his seven grandchildren and was a very dedicated and involved grandpa.  He was also lucky enough to become a great grandpa to seven great grandchildren.  Every one of them held a very special place in his heart.

Though we are sad to see Dad go, we are very privileged to have shared our lives with such a great man.  He taught us many things that will be passed on for generations to come.  His values are an inspiration to our family and others whose lives he touched.

Dale will be forever missed by his loving family, wife of 56 years Melody Kent of Halkirk; sons: Bob (Melinda) Kent of Erskine, Greg (Laura) Kent of Rocky Mountain House, Rick (Lisa) Kent of Halkirk, Jeremy’s wife Barbie of Camrose; grandchildren: Brandon (Taylor) and great granddaughter Amelia, Breanne (Blake), Robby (Melanie) and great grandsons: Zachary, Nathan, and Adam, Wyatt (Makayla) and great grandchildren Paisley and Dawson, Morgan, and McGuire, Brian (Georgia) and great granddaughter Haven; sisters Helen (George) White of Camrose and Geri Waterston of Hythe; brother Dwight (Carolina) of Halkirk; sisters and brothers in law: Carol Peterson of Fort Saskatchewan, Catharine McKnight of Edmonton, Merry (Randy) Archibald of Rosalind, Patricia Adair of Sherwood Park, Reg (Janet) Adair of Red Deer, Mike (Barb) Adair of Rosalind, Wilf (Deb) Adair of Tofield, Cheryl Fisher of Erskine, Corinne Adair of Stettler and Holly (Joe) Sanchez of Farmington, NM; aunt in law Sylvia Jones, little companion Peanut; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews; other family and many dear friends. 

Dale was predeceased by his beloved son Jeremy and other family members.

Family ~ where Life begins and Love never ends

Visitation

Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 7 - 8:30 P.M.

Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta

Funeral Service  

Monday, November 13, 2023 at 2:00 P.M.

Halkirk Community Hall, Halkirk, Alberta 

Donations in memory of Dale are gratefully accepted to the Halkirk Community Hall Association, a charity of the donor’s choice, or in his memory lend a helping hand to someone, as he would have done.