Jan. 25, 1941 - Jan. 15, 2022
Hartzell Jack Kent of Marsing, Idaho, passed away at the age of 80 on Saturday, January 15, 2022.
Hartzell was born in Brawley, California, and moved to Modesto, California, at the age of two. He was always a hard worker and, as a boy, milked cows before school to save up money to purchase his first car, a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. He attended Oakdale High School where he lettered in three different sports by competing on the football, wrestling, and track teams every year.
After graduation, Hartzell married his first wife, Jane, and together they had three beautiful children, Karen, Douglas, and Kevin. He joined the Millwrights union in 1972 (Local 102) where he worked for 30 years before retiring as foreman in 2002. As a Millwright, Hartzell worked at dams, factories, and even on a laser at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Anyone who knows Hartzell knows that he absolutely loved team roping. He began roping in 1968 and won his first saddle in 1971, and went on to win numerous saddles, buckles, and prizes. He was a founding member and past director of ACTRA (American Cowboy Team Roping Association), and he belonged to USTRC (United States Team Roping Championships), NTR (National Team Roping), World Series of Team Roping, and the California Cowboy Association. As a team roper, Hartzell made many friends and enjoyed traveling to compete in places around the country such as Oklahoma, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was also proud to be cast as an extra in multiple western movies, including “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “Shadow Riders” and “Gambler 2.”
Hartzell met the love of his life, Kim, who is also a roper at a team roping event. It did not take long before the couple decided they would make a great team both inside and outside of the arena. So, during a roping event in Reno, Nevada, they slipped out and got married in between rounds.
Upon his retirement from the Millwrights in 2002, Hartzell and Kim bought a ranch and moved to Marsing, Idaho, where they lived with their two sons, James and Cody. Hartzell loved to spend his days roping, fishing, and hunting, and was an avid supporter for the riders with disabilities participating in Kim’s Care-ousel Therapeutic Horseback Riding program, a program near and dear to his heart.
Hartzell is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly Cercle-Kent of Marsing, ID, son Kevin Kent of Modesto, CA, son James Heffner (Sally) of Milton, WA, son Cody Kent of Marsing, ID, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, loyal dog Maverick, and many friends whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Allie Kent, sisters, Myrtle Watson and Mabel Abel, daughter Karen Leslie, son Douglas Kent, and granddaughter Tanya Leslie.
There will be a Celebration of Life to honor Hartzell on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at the H-B Banquet Room in Oakdale, Calif. We ask you to come join us and share stories and memories for all to enjoy.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to Care-ousel Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Hartzell’s name at 8803 Highway 78, Marsing, ID 83639. A scholarship in Hartzell’s name will be set up for riders in need who participate in the program.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com
