Kent Brandon's Obituary
Kenton Lee Brandon, lovingly known as Kent, passed away on May 30, 2026, at the age of 70. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, friendship, and love that will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Kent was born on November 5, 1955, in Wichita, Kansas, to L.E. and Mary Brandon. His father served in the United States Air Force before working for the local electric company, and his mother was a science teacher at the school he attended. Kent often laughed about having his mother as a teacher, saying it made it nearly impossible to get away with any childhood mischief.
Sports were a big part of Kent's life from an early age. He played football and baseball at Wichita Southeast High School and continued pitching baseball at Seward County Community College. He later attended Kansas State University, where he earned a degree in Mathematics and Education and even found time to play rugby.
After college, Kent began a career in education and coaching. He coached baseball at Newman University in Wichita, KS, before moving to Texas, where he taught mathematics and coached football, basketball, and baseball. It was while teaching at New Caney High School that he met the love of his life, Jeannine Maberry. They were married on June 18, 1983, at First Christian Church in Longview and built a life together centered on family, faith, hard work, and plenty of laughter.
Though Kent eventually transitioned from education into sales and management, the qualities that made him a great coach never left him. He worked hard, expected the best from himself, and encouraged others to do the same. Throughout a successful career that spanned several companies and multiple states, he earned the respect of colleagues and customers alike through his honesty, dedication, and steady leadership. He retired from Summit Industrial Products and Klüber Lubrication in December 2025.
If there was one thing people knew about Kent, it was that he gave his all to whatever he was doing. Whether it was his work, his family, his yard, or his beloved 1964½ Mustang, he believed in doing things the right way. He took pride in a neatly mowed lawn, a well-maintained home, and a job done well.
But more than anything, Kent loved his family.
He was incredibly proud of his daughters, Lauren and Emily, and he welcomed their husbands, Ramon Mejia and Xavier Davis, as family. One of the greatest joys of his life was becoming "Grandpa" to Lucius Davis Brandon. He adored his grandson and looked forward to spending more time with him in the years ahead. Kent was excited about plans to move closer to his daughters and grandson, and he loved talking about the future they would share together.
Kent was also the kind of friend everyone hoped to have. He never met a stranger, and his smile and booming laugh could brighten any room. He loved traditions, both big and small. Every Christmas, he exchanged funny calendars with friends. He never missed an opportunity to send a photo from Jucy's Hamburgers to a friend in Tennessee. His regular "Breakfast with Bob" gatherings were something he genuinely looked forward to. He valued friendships deeply and made time for the people who mattered to him.
He had a special place in his heart for animals as well. Over the years he cared for outdoor cats, a bird, and a horse that lived to the remarkable age of 37. Family members still smile when they tell the story of the kitten Kent rescued from inside a wall at Jeannine's school, a cat that remained fiercely loyal to him and suspicious of nearly everyone else.
Kent loved golf, and one of his favorite stories was his hole-in-one on the 17th hole at Pine Springs Golf Club in Tyler on May 13, 2009. The fact that it happened on hole number 17 was especially meaningful, as 17 had been his baseball number years earlier. He also enjoyed watching sports and could usually be found cheering for Kansas State, Texas football, softball, baseball, or Texas A&M.
In 2022, Kent faced cancer with determination and courage. He fought hard, just as everyone who knew him expected he would. Through every challenge, he remained positive, grateful, and focused on the people he loved. He never stopped enjoying life, sharing stories, and finding reasons to smile.
Kent is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 43 years, Jeannine Brandon; daughters Lauren Brandon and husband Ramon Mejia, and Emily Brandon and husband Xavier Davis; grandson Lucius Davis Brandon; mother-in-law Billie Gregory Maberry; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jack and Bobbie Jo Maberry; Timothy Broxson, Kourtney Broxson, Catherine Maberry, Spenser Maberry, Mason White, and Harper White; numerous cousins and extended family members; and many dear friends, including Rob and Katy Engen, Bob and Cindy Patterson, Don and Debbie Adams, and his Summit family.
A memorial service celebrating Kent's life will be held at First Christian Church, 720 N. Sixth Street, Longview, Texas, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 720 N. Sixth Street, Longview, Texas 75601, or to the Mt. Vernon Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 803, Franklin, Texas 77856-0803.
Those who knew Kent will remember his work ethic, his loyalty, his sense of humor, and the way he showed up for the people he loved. They will remember his laugh, his stories, his kindness, and his willingness to help whenever he could. Most of all, they will remember a man who loved deeply and lived fully. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
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