Jimmy Kent Israel

James Kent "Jimmy Kent" Israel, age 70, Haleyville, AL. passed away Friday August 28, 2015 at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham due to complications that arose during a scheduled, vascular surgery. His visitation will be on Monday August 31, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Haleyville from 10:00AM - 1:00PM, with his funeral to follow at 1:00PM, with Bro. Nathan Carroll and Dr. Jim Cooley officiating. Burial in Winston Memorial Cemetery. Jimmy Kent was born on February 15, 1945 in Haleyville, Alabama. He lived in Haleyville, where he began participating in church, social and sporting events as a very young boy. Kent was blessed with a deep faith in God, a big, kind heart, and much athletic ability. He spent his high school years working, dating Paulette Hughes,, and as a leader and quarterback for the Haleyville Lions football team. Just prior to graduating from Haleyville High School, at the personal request of head coach Paul Bryant, Kent signed a Grant-in-Aide scholarship to play football at The University of Alabama. There, he was initiated to the A-Club and learned many, many valuable lessons about grit, gut, sacrifice, perseverance, and never giving up. He would carry these lessons the rest of his days, he would teach them to his children and their friends, and would use them to help encourage and inspire countless others. Jimmy Kent married Paulette on July 23, 1967 (He kept this a secret only from Coach Bryant!) and spent his last year of eligibility as a graduate assistant coach. He coached football for one year at Tuscaloosa High School. He was then approached by John Posey, Jr. and Don Tidwell, who were interested in employing ex-Alabama football players. He accepted the position, and he and Paulette returned to Haleyville for Kent to begin a career in the mobile home business. Jimmy Kent remained with Tidwell Industries for 16 years, leaving his position as a Vice-President in 1985. That year, he and Paulette and Royce and Joanne Benefield opened P.R. Hughes Trading Company where Kent remained for the next 30 years. "Giving Back" was very important to Kent. He was dedicated to serving and supporting his church and his community. Since returning to Haleyville, he has been a member of the Lion's Club, coached Little League football, supported organizations that benefit the football team, as well as, supporting all other Haleyville sport teams and the band, served on the Industrial Board, the Haleyville Water and Sewer Board, and served on the Haleyville City Schools Board of Education for 12 years. Kent kept his eye out for superb athletes in Haleyville and was dedicated to helping them receive scholarships. He called Mal Moore at Alabama and his prior teammates who coached and/or were the Athletic Directors at various colleges to insure that a scout came to watch these athletes play and make contact with them. Most important to Kent, however, was his church where he taught Sunday School for 20 years and served as Deacon at First Baptist Church in Haleyville. Jimmy Kent prioritized his life in this order; God, family, friends, work, everything else. He was deeply dedicated to the Great Commission. He was deeply dedicated to his family and to his "chosen" family that is made up of his friends, Paulette's friends, and his children's friends, whom he loved much more deeply than many of them will ever realize. He loved God, people, jokes, laughter, kindness and yes football. However, for the last ten years, what brought him the most pleasure were his grandchildren, Emma and Jon Kent. Just the sound of their voices excited him, flooded his face with a smile and made his green eyes sparkle. They were his very happy place.. Jimmy Kent was preceded in death by his father, James Allen Israel. He is survived by his wife, Paulette Hughes Israel; mother, Louise Nation Israel; his daughters, Emily Savhann Israel and Amanda Israel Parson, her husband Billy Ray; his grandchildren, Emma Hughes and Jonathan Kent; his siblings, Allen (Pat), Tommy (Ann) and Phyllis (Ellis); his brother and sister in law, Royce and Joanne Benefield; his nieces and nephews, Mary Kathryn Benefield Waters, Blake Israel, Andy and Adam Israel, Katie Stout Hankel, Kim Stout Livesay and Kassie Stout Dyson; his great nephew, Peyton Donald Waters, IV. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: contributions made to the Jimmy Kent Israel Memorial Fund c/o Will Walker or Keith Brown at Traders and Farmers Bank will be greatly appreciated. The address is: P.O. Drawer 550 Haleyville, AL. 35565 and the phone number is 205-486-5263. This fund will be used to support students, athletes and the causes dear to Kent's heart. you may leave online condolences at www.pinkardfh.com

Jimmy Kent Israel

February 15, 1945 - August 28, 2015

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Jimmy Kent Israel

February 15, 1945 - August 28, 2015

About Us

What We Do

Contact Us

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

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