4 May 1927 – 11 Nov 1996
Husband of Carol Joan Cardon
Born in Springville on May 4, 1927 to Odessa Mendenhall Child and Arvile Child, Kent Child is survived by his wife, Carol Child; three children, Jeffrey Kent, Robyn, and Alison; and granddaughter, Catherine Rose.
Prior to his graduation from Springville High School, Kent enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country as a Medical Corpsman at Long Beach Naval Hospital.
At the University of Utah he met the love of his life, Carol Joan Cardon. They married on August 26, 1950 and just celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity at the U, where he graduated with a B.S. in banking and finance in 1951.
He was known throughout the community as a visionary and entrepreneur. Kent had a successful career in real estate development in Southern California and Park City, Utah and was the source, inspiration and support for the dreams of the people who loved him.
Through Kent’s guidance, his first son, Jeffrey Kent Child, was able to graduate from medical school at the University of Cincinnati, after which he went on to become the Director of Radiology at South Bay Hospital in Redondo Beach.
He coached and inspired his eldest daughter, Robyn and her husband, John Cole to venture out and start their own retail business, The Coffee Gallery, which thrives today in Costa Mesa, California.
And through his loving support and encouragement, he co-founded Kirwin Communications, a local success story, with his daughter Alison and her husband, Paul Kirwin.
Above all, Kent Child loved life and life loved him. He was always willing to try a new sport or new hobby. Before he left this life he became an accomplished artist displaying exceptional skills on the piano and on canvas. He was a dedicated skier earning the reputation as the smoothest senior to grace the slopes of “Assessment” in Park City and fondly called “Captain America” by those who skied with him.
Kent and Carol became avid golfers during his last years. They had just purchased a new home on the 8th hole of PGA West in La Quinta, California when Kent discovered that he had cancer. Seven weeks later, having just arrived in their new dream home, the Lord, needing a fourth, called on Kent to join Him for eternity.
His grace, humor, and style will be sorely missed by those who remember him.
A graveside service will be held at the Park City Cemetery, at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 16. Following, there will be a memoriam and celebration of his life at the Snow Park Lodge.
-Published in the Deseret News, November 15, 1996
