James "Kent" Longley

James “Kent” Longley passed away peacefully at his home in Boulder City, NV on April 10, 2019 at the age of 93. He was born March 6, 1926 in Little Falls, MN to Lester Adelbert “Ted” Longley and Hazelle Minifred Zinn Longley. His family later moved to Monterey Park, CA where he grew up and attended high school. He then joined the Navy and was a World War II veteran.

Kent attended Stanford University and graduated in 1950 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. He married his college sweetheart, Mary Moss on June 3, 1950. As newlyweds they moved to Henderson, NV and soon reestablished their home in Las Vegas. Kent became a general contractor in the Las Vegas-based family business Longley Construction, Inc. with his father and brother. While in Las Vegas, he and Mary raised four children—Lynn, Vance, John and Laurie. Upon Kent’s retirement in 1988, he and Mary moved to Boulder City.

While residing in Las Vegas, Kent was an active member of Griffith United Methodist Church and sang in its choir. He was also active in the Las Vegas Rotary Club. He served the Boy Scouts as a Cub Scout Pack Leader and in other capacities, earning the Silver Beaver Award. 

After moving to Boulder City, he volunteered for Lend-a-Hand, driving city residents to medical appointments and serving as Board President. He was an active member of Grace Community Church and sang in its choir, as well.

Kent was known for his wit, humor, easy-going friendliness, love of adventure, and beautiful singing voice. He loved music and live theater and for many years he attended and supported the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, UT. An avid aviator, in the 1950’s he earned his private pilot’s license and made several long-distance flights, including flying a new airplane home from Pennsylvania to Las Vegas. His hobbies also included hunting, fishing, camping, skiing, sailing on Lake Mead, boating, photography, watching birds and wildlife, and exploring the Southwest. He traveled in Africa, Europe, Hawaii, and many places in the US. He also canal boated in France.

Kent is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Hazel Moss Longley and son, James Vance Longley. He is survived by his brother, Ted C. Longley, daughter and son-in-law Kathryn “Lynn” and William L. Meyer, daughter-in-law Christina Bentley Longley, son and daughter-in-law John Kent and Robin Hardy Longley, daughter and son-in-law Laurie Beth and John T. Hartig, granddaughters Liann Longley Tackett and Katherine Hazelle Longley, and great granddaughters Shelby Christine Tackett and Ashley Grace Tackett.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Kent’s memory may be made to Boulder City Lend-a-Hand or to the Boulder City Red Mountain Choir. Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com 

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