Obituaries

Kent was called home to the Lord Feb 11 at 81 years of age surrounded by love.

He was the first of four children born to Harold White and Velma Marian Edmonds.  Kent was raised in Vancouver, WA and graduated from Hudson Bay High School in 1959. His loving parents encouraged Kent’s natural talent and interest in music, including violin lessons and following Kent’s lead to a church with a better choir.  He saved allowance and odd job money and was able to buy himself a phonograph and his first record purchase was the 1812 Overture.  His classmate’s dad, Sam Smith gave Kent great encouragement. 

Kent attended Clark College and enjoyed Mr. Smith’s music classes to the fullest before enlisting in the US Army on Jan. 8, 1961. Kent was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and served as an MP, earned his Parachutist Badge, and trained as an Image Interpreter.  His 218th Military Intelligence Detachment was in the air over Cuba waiting for jump orders when the missile crises was settled. As an E-5 he left military service Jan 8, 1964.

Kent had begun building a house, with the help of his carpenter friend Don Kruger.  Kent read a little, took the journeyman carpenter’s test and joined the union.  The physical activity and problem solving of carpentry suited Kent.  He enjoyed many years of carpentry projects for the union and independently.  In those early carpentry days, he met a gal, Terese Prynne.  They married on Aug. 30, 1975, in Welcome, WA.  Kent enjoyed singing with New Whatcom Choral Society, directed by Bob Scandrett and they loved their work-booted carpenter who could sing “The Trumpet Shall Sound”.  These years were spent building a home for us, motorcycling, hiking, and mountain climbing.

When he arrived in Bremerton, he called churches and time and again was told that the best church choir was at Summit Ave. Presbyterian.  In his 30-year membership he sang in choir, remodeled the sanctuary, built the pulpit, communion table, baptismal font, organ pipe case, etc. He soon joined Bremerton Symphony Chorale and later Cora Voce.  These years were spent enjoying sailing the San Juans, rediscovering cycling and continued mountain climbing.

He retired in 2003, but he never stopped working. He was ready to lend a hand on a friend’s jobsite, build furniture, build a new home for us, climb mountains and hike Mt Ellinor with a friend. Kent enjoyed an association with Balcolm and Vaughn Pipe Organs building organ pipe cases and on-site installations.  Kent also began singing with Symphony Tacoma Voices and Chelan BachFest. 

The opportunity to share choral music while traveling is a special gift of singing with Symphony Tacoma Voices, Kent and Terese enjoyed three European tours and a trip to New York City.  The choir members gave concerts to the locals who generously welcomed us all. 

Kent is survived by wife Terese, son Beorn, daughter in law Katherine Edmonds.  Siblings Lynne Edmonds and Craig (Jacqueline) Edmonds.  A wealth of family on both sides in four generations.

Every place Kent lived he sang, cultivated the land, & embraced the outdoors.  Rest in Peace.

Kent will be placed at Mt Tahoma National Cemetery at a time and date to be determined.

Celebration of Life               ( in person and livestream )

March 11, 2023, 1PM    

Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church

403 S Summit Avenue

Bremerton, WA 98312

In order to join our live stream on March 11, go to YouTube.com and search for “summit avenue presbyterian church bremerton” or visit https://www.youtube.com/@summitave/streams .

In 1964, Kent climbed Mt. Baker, and, on the descent, fell in a crevasse. 

The rescue team brought him to safety.

Memorial donations can be sent to:

Whatcom County Search and Rescue

1041 West Smith Rd

Bellingham, WA 98226