Kent Reed Smith

Kent Reed Smith, 69, passed away at Dorothy Love Retirement Community, 3003 W. Cisco Rd., Sidney, Ohio on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 5:08 AM.   He was born March 5, 1947 in Lima, Ohio to Charles and Ethel (McDowell) Smith.   His parents as well as a brother, George Ross Smith, preceded him in death.   He is survived by two brothers, Lisle (Patty) Smith of Piqua, Ohio and Warren (Becky) Smith of New Bern, North Carolina.   Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.   Kent first graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio State University.   After teaching in the Miller City, Ohio school system, he received a Master’s Degree from Miami University of Ohio.   Kent then came to Sidney in 1972, teaching English at Bridgeview Middle School before moving to the high school in 1981 where he completed his career of thirty years.   In 2000, Kent received the SEA Teacher of the Year award.   He was a member of the Ohio Retired Teacher’s Association where he had chaired the scholarship committee.   A former member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Sidney, he taught an adult Sunday School class and sang in the choir for over thirty years.   Kent also served as church elder, choir director, and endowment committee chairperson.   In recent years, he was active at Sidney’s First Presbyterian Church.   A familiar face in Sidney’s cultural scene, Kent’s participation spans multiple arts organizations.   He was a member of the vocal groups, River Glen Ensemble, Circle of Friends, Simple Harmony, and the Gateway Choral Society; in addition to his thespian work in both Sock and Buskin Community Theater and Sidney Dance Company.   He especially enjoyed comedic roles in plays and musicals such as Charlie Brown, Thorton Wilder’s Our Town, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, and Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite.   Other activites included serving as a board member of the Gateway Arts Council, chairperson of the Resident’s Association at Dorothy Love Retirement Community, director of the Amos Chapel choir, volunteer for Wilson Hospice Care, and transportation driver for the American Cancer Society.   In keeping with Kent’s wishes, he will be cremated.   A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 2 to 4 PM at Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home in Sidney.   A celebration memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the community room at Ohio Living - Dorothy Love Retirement Community, 3003 W. Cisco Rd., Sidney, Ohio.   Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Hospice, 915 W. Michigan St., Sidney, Ohio  45365 and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 7015, Albert Lea, Minnesota  56007.   Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home in Sidney is handling the funeral arrangements.   Condolences may be expressed on Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home’s web site at:   www.salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com

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