W. Wallace Kent, Jr.

W. Wallace Kent, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Caro, went to be with his Higher Power on Thursday, September 23, 2021. Wally was born September 6, 1941 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Wallace & LaVerne (Fredlund) Kent II. He grew up in Kalamazoo where he graduated from University High School in 1959. Shortly after, Wally enlisted with the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1964 in order to attend Kalamazoo College where he studied history and English. Following his graduation, he attended the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, graduating with his Juris Doctor degree in 1967. Later that year, Wally moved to Caro to practice law with Maurice Ransford and later, Gary Crews. In 1975, he was appointed by Governor Millikin to succeed the Honorable C. Bates Wills as the Tuscola County Probate Judge, a position he held for thirty-four years until his retirement in 2010. He would often say his juvenile and social service workers were critical to better the lives of the foster children he helped to place. Wally was united in marriage with the former Catherine Heida-LaFave on September 9, 1989 in Caro, and the couple has celebrated thirty-two years of joy and adventure together. Wally was born in the North, but was Southwestern at heart, dressed appropriately in cowboy boots, belt buckle and bolo tie. Food without black pepper and Tabasco was simply too bland for his taste. He loved to travel and toured the world with Cathy, from the Rhine River and Mediterranean Sea to his favorite place on earth, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His laugh was infectious and his stories were long. While not a large man, he had a booming voice and a big personality. He loved a terrible pun and a good argument. Wally was a family man at heart and especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and activities. He participated in several plays with the Thumb Area Center for the Arts and was known to reminisce about the past with those he just met or ones he'd known for years. Wally was a member of the Caro Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, the Michigan State Bar Association, Michigan Probate Jude Emeriti, Alumni Associations of Kalamazoo College and the University of Michigan, and the Caro Area District Library Board. In 2017, Wally and Cathy moved to San Antonio, Texas where he volunteered for a crises hotline and served as treasurer for a fellowship group. His passing will leave a void in the hearts of countless friends and family. Left to cherish Wally's memory are his loving wife, Catherine Kent; six children and their spouses, Lisa & Mark Cockerill of Caro, William W. & Jenny Kent IV of Midland, Laura & Mike Tuckey of Caro, Scott & Kathryn Kent of Gilbert, Arizona, Nicole & Luc Questel of San Antonio, Texas, Steven & Amber LaFave of Fort Stockton, Texas; fifteen grandchildren, Terran (John), Brett, Bailey, William V, Madison, Tessa, Lindsey (Sarah), McKay (Nicole), Andres, Kieryn, Antonio, Emilia, Elise, Kaiden, and Dreamalynn; three great-grandchildren, Rory, Brooks, and Bentley; five siblings and their spouses, Virginia Graybill, Eric & Betsy Kent, Robert & Raenell Kent, Anne & Kim Kramer, Martha & Steve Kahn; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Wally was preceded in death by one niece, Heather Kent. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday, September 26, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The number of guests will be limited to fifty within the funeral home and facial coverings will be required of all in attendance. A private funeral service will follow at a later date with Rev. Richard Graybill officiating. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Caro Area District Library. Visitation Information Date: Sunday, September 26, 2021 Time: 12:00 pm End Time: 6:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday, September 26, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The number of guests will be limited to fifty within the funeral home and facial coverings will be required of all in attendance.