Kent Osborne

Kent James Osborne was a loving and caring son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend. All who had the privilege of knowing him were swept into his enthusiasm for life. He loved the arts, music, cooking, singing and the outdoors, but most of all his family and friends. Kent had a big heart and a lot to give. Kent was born in the decade of mood rings, Rubiks cubes and yellow smiley faces, a lighthearted contrast to protests over war and government misconduct. On the eastern shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon, Cecil Kent and Judith Ann (Dykema) Osborne welcomed their second child on January 5, 1979. Kent James joined his sister Stacey who was six years old at the time and thrilled to be a big sister. They experienced the love and care of their dad, who was an optician and ran the Optical Shop on Apple Avenue and their mom, who joined the business once the children were older. Despite the age difference, Kent and Stacey were very close and remained so throughout their lives. The family lived in North Muskegon, where they attended St. Pauls Episcopal Church and Kent went to North Muskegon Schools. He enjoyed school, joined the swim team, played softball and soccer, and was an all around good kid. Of all the sports he played, Kent exceeded in swimming during school term and in the summers. For a few years when the family had moved to Atlanta, Georgia, Kent swam on a local summer swim team. Then, when they moved back to Muskegon for his high school years, Kent still returned to Atlanta to swim. During summer break, he stayed with a friend, swam with the swim team and worked as a lifeguard. Kent was dedicated to his sport, but his interests also reached into music, art and the riches of nature. Kent liked to go camping with his family and especially loved sitting around the campfire, where reflection seems to come naturally. He nurtured his innate ability to draw by visiting art galleries and spending hours looking at paintings. His appreciation of the artist Matisse was an inspiration to his own work, which was very good. Kents taste in music was a throw-back to the days of Billie Holiday, singing jazz and blues, and the mellow song styles of the Rat Pack. His own career in music began when he worked at the Village Inn on Apple Avenue. The pizza parlor had a Karaoke machine and eventually Kent became a DJ for karaoke night. He got involved with singing there, as well, and his Piano Man became a favorite. In time, Kent and his friends went on-the-road, performing karaoke in other places around town. After high school, Kent studied graphic arts for about a year and a half at Muskegon Community College, but it didnt lead to a career in art. Instead, he went to work in the family business, and his dad taught him from his own experience as an optician. Soon Kent was doing the work of an optician at the Optical Shop and then at Lauren Taylor Eyeware in Lakeside. Being a quick study, Kent readily absorbed information, but he was also able to retain it. That made him good at reciting trivia, and he jokingly said that he knew a lot of useless information. In reality, Kent was full of ideas that kept life fresh and interesting. If Kent was skilled at accumulating information, he was even better at gathering friends with whom he shared his thoughts and dreams. His house on Evanston Avenue was the gathering place for all his friends, who got a home cooked meal as well as a listening ear. Kent was a great cook and a sensitive guy. Anyone could tell him their problems, and he always listened in a non-judgmental way. It didnt matter what race, religion or sexual orientation a person was, each one found an open mind and heart when they talked to Kent. But he also had a fun side. Kent had a smile that could light up a room and a laugh no one will ever forget. He and his sister had the same sense of humor and would laugh at some things that nobody else did. With all the concern he showed his friendseven extending it to cats and dogs he kept from the local animal shelterKent was deeply devoted to his family. He continued to be close to his sister, had a special bond with his mother, and was wonderfully connected to his Aunt Carmen and cousin Ahna. In fact, Kent had recently moved to Baltimore, Maryland to live with Ahna and start a new phase of his life. Kent was back home in Muskegon for the holidays when he became ill with what the family thought it was the flu. His health quickly worsened before they could get him to the hospital. The emergency personnel did all they could, but tragically, Kent died on Monday, December 24, 2007. It was later discovered that Kent had a very fast moving virus which gave him pneumonia. His family is devastated by their deep loss. Kent James Osborne lived his 28 years with an energy and thoughtfulness that keeps him close to the hearts of his beloved family and cherished friends. He is survived by his parents, Kent and Judy Osborne of Muskegon, sister, Stacey (Rick) Stanton of Caladonia, MI; nieces, Paige and Morgan Stanton; aunt, Carmen Dykema; cousin, Ahna Jean Dykema of Baltimore; several aunts, uncles, cousins and many close friends. A service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, December 29, 2007, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel with Pastor Ken Shady officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.