One of the kindest, most loving, and gentle people you will ever meet passed away this week at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Rexburg, Idaho. Edward Kent Vernon returned to his heavenly home on Friday, December 12, 2025. Kent was born on March 13, 1941 in Pocatello, Idaho to parents Edward and Onetta Vernon. He was the middle child of three with an older sister, JoAnn and a younger brother, Dean. He attended elementary school, Jr. high and high school in Pocatello. He was active in sports, particularly golf, and was President of his Sophomore class. He played the trumpet in the high school concert band, pep band, orchestra, and marching band. He was offered a music scholarship to ISU, but then was offered a full-ride scholarship to play golf at BYU which he chose and became a very skilled golfer, playing in golf tournaments all over the country with the BYU golf team. He has accumulated many trophies and awards throughout his life including winning the Idaho State Amateur golf competition twice for which he is widely known throughout the upper valley.

Kent attended BYU for two years and was then called to serve a mission in London, England which he says was a major turning point in his life. The last six months he was called to be the first counselor to Marion D. Hanks in the mission presidency. President Hanks had a profound influence in his life as did Elder Jeffrey R Holland who also served in that mission at the same time. After his mission, Kent returned to BYU where he finished his bachelor's and master's degrees. He became a teaching assistant and part of the adjunct faculty for the two years he worked on his master's degree. He graduated from BYU with a master's degree in economics and was then hired as an economics analyst for the CIA in Virginia.

While at BYU, Kent met and married Maurine Peck Packer in July of 1964. They were blessed with six children: Brenda, Todd, Craig, Jonathan, Wendy, and Tyler Vernon. They also had a baby, Judy Lyn, who died shortly after birth. After working for the CIA for a couple of years, Kent was invited to teach at Ricks College where he spent the remainder of his career. Kent loved teaching and was a talented and beloved teacher. Most of his students will tell you he was their favorite. He taught Economics, Political Science, Statistics, and American Heritage. He was given the "Teacher of the Year" award for his excellence in teaching, served as Chairman of the Economics Department and Faculty Association President. Kent always served quietly with efficiency and humility, never wanting to draw attention to himself.

In 1995 Kent's wife, Maureen, passed away after a long battle with cancer. It was and has been a very difficult time for the whole family. In January of 1996, he married Rita Stevens Lusk whose husband had also recently passed away. Their combined family then included Rita's children: Debi, Julie, Sherri, Roxanna, BJ and Tiara. Kent has been a kind and loving father and grandfather and a great example to both families.

Kent has served willingly and ably in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including as Bishop, Bishop's counselor, high counselor, and teacher and leader in various organizations of the church. He and his wife, Rita served a mission in the Addiction Recovery Program and as facilitators in the Self-Reliance Program. They also enjoyed serving in the Rexburg temple for eight years. Kent has been active in serving in the community on the Madison County Hospital Board and Planning and Zoning committee. Kent had a happy, positive personality and was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Kent is survived by his wife, Rita, children Brenda (Tom) Laws, Todd (Jill) Vernon, Craig (Liliana) Vernon, Jonathan (Peggy) Vernon, and Tyler Vernon, step-children Debi (Drew) Wilson, Julie (Daryl) Beeson, Sherri (Garth) Hillman, Roxanna (Thomas) Vaughn, BJ (Maja) Lusk, and Tiara (Paxton) Williams, 32 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Onetta Vernon, his first wife Maureen, daughter Wendy and infant daughter Judy Lyn.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 19 at the Sugar City Stake Center, (25 West 3rd South, Sugar City, Idaho). The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:30 pm at Flamm Funeral Home (61 North 1st East, Rexburg, Idaho. Interment will be in the Sugar City Cemetery.

Service will be broadcast at: https://my.gather.app/remember/kent-vernon