COMMUNITY NORMANITE IN THE

SPOTLIGHT

Kent Carter #LoveLikeKent

BY: CHELSEY KRAFT

Kent 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

his 70th birthday. In his honor, they have also established the Kent Carter Servant Leader Fund, designed to help others in servant and leadership roles. Contributions can be made at donate.occf.org with reference to “Kent Carter.” “The original thought was wanting for him to be able to continue to give,” Grady explained. “He was such a giver and gave a lot of his time in particular.” Kent and Kelcie both grew up in Hollis, Oklahoma, meeting in their church nursery as babies. The pair started dating when they were 25 years old and married on Jan. 1, 1979. Kent, whose family moved to Norman when he was 14, earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma before establishing a career in mortgage banking. After recognizing a need for the lending and realty sides of the business to connect, Kent founded the OWNOK Conference. He served as president of the Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Association and the Center for Children and Families and was also a commissioner on the Oklahoma Commission on Consumer Credit. The Carters were founding members of the Alameda Church of Christ, where Kent volunteered as a deacon and elder. Kent also led the Mighty Men Bible study, a group of neighborhood boys that included Grady. An avid gardener, Kent became a wonderful cook, creating dishes with ingredients from his garden like the breakfast staple of greens with eggs he made for Kelcie. He was also passionate about Toastmasters and Leadership Oklahoma, where he met friends like Jonathan Fowler and had the chance to further connect with ones he already knew, like Diana Hartley. Although there was a 31-year age difference, Fowler and Kent instantly clicked. The two of them, along with David Nimmo and Brandon Law, started a monthly breakfast club after their time in Leadership Oklahoma. Fowler said Kent became a friend and mentor he looked up to, not only because of his success in his career but also life. Kent spearheaded an effort to add a Leadership Oklahoma session in Norman, and Hartley said he never missed the opportunity to spread hospitality and make everyone feel welcome when the group was in town. “He’s the kind of person that once you meet him, he never forgets who you are and never forgets your name. Every time he sees you, he makes you feel like you are his best friend,” Hartley stated. Scott Martin, president and CEO of the Norman Chamber of Commerce, said Kent’s legacy lives on through his children, who mirror him in many ways. “What a beautiful legacy to leave, knowing that you’ve impacted people and your legacy is living on in the lives of your children,” Martin said. “I know that he’s looking down from heaven with a big smile on his face.” Kent was a lifelong learner, a trait that extended to his interest in people. One of Kelcie’s last conversations with her husband was about how his three nurses were from three different countries. “That captures him, even in the hospital,” Kelcie said. “He was very excited about meeting people and learning all about them.” Grady echoed this, sharing a story about dropping off a CPAP machine off when his dad was hospitalized due to COVID-19. He called Kent to say he’d forgotten distilled water, and one of Kent’s nurses answered instead. When she accidentally sat the phone down without hanging up, Grady listened to the pair chat for 20 minutes. “What made my dad comfortable and happy and full of joy was stories,” Grady explained. “He didn’t want to talk about him being sick. He wanted to hear about her and wanted to tell her stories. He wanted to share a moment.” #LoveLikeKent captures this man who was genuine when he asked how someone was doing, who wanted to hear about other’s lives, who loved without condition. “He loved everybody,” Carrick shared. “He saw everyone having unique value and being worthy of love.” – BSM