Obituaries - January 4, 2011 - Rev. W. Otto Kent
The Rev. W. Otto Kent, 64, pastor of Metropolitan UMC in Severn, died suddenly Jan. 4. His funeral was held Jan. 8, at Severna Park UMC with the Rev. Timothy West officiating. Bishop John Schol delivered the eulogy.
In addition to Metropolitan UMC, which he was serving at the time of his death, Kent served as Youth Pastor of Oxon Hill UMC for one year, then was appointed to Asbury UMC in Brandywine from 2000 to 2006.
His Metropolitan congregation gave him the title of "Revival Preacher" because he prepared his congregation for a revival in their lives as they lifted up the name of Jesus through fruit bearing adventure of faith celebrations, intentional faith development, faith connections and hospitality, outreach to the community and faithful sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He married his college sweetheart, Gwendolyn Brown in 1969. They had two children.
Prior to his ministry, he worked for the Federal Government with NASA, the Department of Labor, and Health and Human Services. He retired from the feds in 2000.
The Kent family had been nurtured by Westphalia UMC for more than 30 years and the church benefitted from Kent’s accounting and computer skills, including his implementation of a computerized finance system.
He accepted his call to ministry in 1996 and attended Wesley Theological Seminary for a Master of Divinity degree, with an emphasis on urban ministry. He also held a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley. Kent was ordained Deacon in 2000 and Elder in May 2004.
His hobbies were fishing, photography and technology. He was an active member of the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association, the Metro DC NCCU Alumni Chapter and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn Lucille Kent, a daughter, Hope Ellen Kent of Fort Washington, and a son, Troy Kent of Clinton.
Condolences may be sent to Gwendolyn Kent, 554 Queenstown Road, Severn, MD 21144.
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