Kent Paul Gray

 Kent Paul Gray, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated public servant, passed away peacefully at his home in Kaysville, Utah, on March 10, 2025, at the age of 79.

Born in Lehi, Utah, on May 17, 1945, to LaVerl Ezra and Drucilla Florance Gray, Kent grew up in Orem, Utah, where he learned the value of hard work early in life. Along with his older brother Bruce, he spent his childhood picking and selling raspberries from his family's home, saving all his earnings to fund his family's annual fishing trips to Yellowstone—a tradition that helped shape his lifelong love of the outdoors. Kent graduated from Orem High School in 1963, where he was an active member of the Marching Band, playing the trumpet.

In his early adulthood, Kent served a 2½ year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris, France. This experience deeply impacted him and sparked a lifelong passion for learning and service. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Brigham Young University, followed by an MBA from Utah State University, which he affectionately referred to as "the Lord's TRUE University."

Kent’s professional life was dedicated to public service. He worked for the State of Utah for 32 years, holding positions in both the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In 1992, he became the director of the DEQ, where he led efforts to clean up and restore Utah’s environment. Under his leadership, he spearheaded significant work in the state’s Superfund program, environmental emergency response, and the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Kent took great pride in the accomplishments of his team, having helped remediate thousands of contaminated sites, including cleaning up soil and groundwater throughout the state leaving a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship.

Kent’s commitment to his work was matched only by his devotion to his family. He married Kathryn Bentley on June 16, 1977, after being introduced by mutual friends. Together, they raised a family in Kaysville and shared a lifetime of love, faith, and service.

A true outdoorsman at heart, Kent enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, taxidermy, and gardening. Kent’s vegetable, fruit, and flower gardens were a source of pride and joy. He was known for his passion for "harvesting nature's excess” while hunting a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, waterfowl, pheasant, pronghorn, moose, bear, and more. He cherished the time spent outdoors with his sons, brother, nephews, and friends, often planning hunting trips to destinations across the country years in advance. These adventures fostered lifelong friendships, as his family formed close bonds with the families of Larry and Joy Jung, Nolan and Carolyn Barnard, and Porter and Linda Huesser. Kent cherished these friendships, creating a New Year’s Eve tradition with them that lasted many years.

Kent’s grandchildren were the light of his later years. He cherished every moment spent with them, whether it was sharing tales from his youth, teaching them songs, or instilling in them a deep love for the outdoors. The highlight of their time together was at his grandparents' cabin in Ophir, where they made lasting memories—camping, hiking, riding four-wheelers, shooting BB guns, swinging from the rope swing, searching for unique rocks, and roasting hot dogs over the fire. As they explored both his family’s rich history and the stories of the town, Kent found immense happiness in passing down these traditions, making each moment with them even more special.

Though Kent faced many health challenges in his later years, he remained strong, resilient, and committed to his family and the things he loved. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, their sons David Kent (Sasha) and Trever LaVerl (Cody), five grandchildren Katelyn Nicole, Zachary David, Tyler Flynn, Parker LaVerl, and Weston James, sisters-in-law LeeAnn Gray and Hazel Bentley, brothers-in-law, Michael (Tammy) Bentley, and Clark (Sandy) Bentley, along with many others whose lives he touched through his work, faith, and love.

Kent was preceded in death by his parents, LaVerl and Drucilla Gray, and his older brother Bruce Gray, nephew Todd Gray, niece, Melissa Gray, sister-in-law Susan Bluth, and brother-in-law Shelby Kent Bentley. The family would like to recognize and thank Kent’s long-time neighbors and friends for all of their help, love, care, and companionship these last few difficult years; with a special appreciation to Frank Krammer, Kim Brown, and Chris and Katie Snow – their service to Kent and his family has been invaluable and brought peace and joy to his final years.

Although Kent may always be remembered as “a loveable grump,” his generosity and humor will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, especially through the environmental legacy he left behind, the lessons he imparted to his family, and the many lives he touched with his kindness and dedication.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Kaysville 17th Ward Chapel, 875 E 200 N, Kaysville, Utah. A viewing will take place the night prior from 6-8 pm at Russon Mortuary, 1941 N Main Street, Farmington, Utah, and a viewing will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:45-10:45 am. Interment will follow the service at Kaysville City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page (click here) and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.