COMM U N I T Y
NORMANITE IN THE K SPOTLIGHT
Kent Carter #LoveLikeKent 32 | April 2021
BY: CHELSEY KRAF T
ent Carter’s family isn’t sure who started the hashtag, but after he passed away on Feb. 5, his wife, Kelcie, and their children, Carrick, Claire and Grady, saw it on Facebook. It appeared in posts as people shared anecdotes about the impact Kent had on them. Those three words summarize Kent well – a man who showed up for others, loving them through both the good and the bad. “I was just very touched and overwhelmed by that because I felt that way about him, but I had no idea how many people felt that way,” Carrick shared. The Carters heard so many stories, like how Kent would stop by the hospital on his way home from work to visit someone. Kelcie said she’s received hundreds of cards, many of them starting with a “you don’t know me, but” type of message before going on to explain an interaction they had with Kent. “He did the small things,” Claire explained. “I’ve watched my parents spend their lives serving and loving people, and most of the time, it’s gone unnoticed by everyone except the people they serve. Pop showed me that life is about loving people and community.” A few adjectives used to describe Kent are friendly, gregarious, optimistic, curious, loyal, intentional, genuine and approachable. He was a dreamer, a learner and an agent for positivity. Most of all he was always there for those he cared about, believing his children were capable of anything and bragging on his wife. One of the many ways Kent made sure his family felt loved was through Valentine’s Day gifts. Claire said he’d show up on her front porch with a bouquet of flowers to mark the holiday. She was dreading Feb. 14 this year, but then her mom found a bag on his side of the bed with gifts he must have purchased months in advance, already labeled with the recipients’ names. The Carters are hosting a celebration of Kent’s life on April 10, the day after
