Ian Randolph Kent's Obituary
Ian Randolph Kent was born in Portland, Oregon at Milwaukee Birth Center on December 4th, 1982. He passed away on Monday, February 20th, 2023, after suffering a seizure that stopped his heart at his home in Portland.
Early in school, testing revealed Ian’s remarkable spatial talents. After graduating high school at Northwest Academy in downtown Portland, Ian began his career in landscape management and design. He completed the Master Gardener certification and excelled in every horticulture class he enrolled in through Portland Community College. He could name nearly every plant in the Pacific Northwest and speak knowledgably regarding their care. He could trim a chaotic plant or tree into beauty. If he built a pathway, you would find visual harmony in the placement of steppingstones. And, when building rock walls, you would think those rocks had always been there. He would also frequently bring home sickly plants to nurse back to life – demonstrating, again, both technical expertise and a gentle and caring touch. One of his last commercial contracts involved repeatedly breaking down beaver dams in a Tualatin wetland. Physically challenging, and not a job most of us could conduct, Ian felt motivated by nature. Wearing his waders and walking through the river, watching birds and beavers and their changing patterns, he was thrilled to be surrounded by wilderness right in the city.
Ian was an ardent hunter and fisherman. He found joy in every occasion where he could be immersed in nature, and especially so with his dog at his side. Martial arts was another passion of Ian’s that shaped his meditative and philosophical disposition. He began training at 14 years old and never stopped practicing. He was a patient and enthusiastic teacher as well, showing others how to improve their health by incorporating martial arts exercises. He was devoted to gardening, loved music and cooking, and despite his dyslexia, he had great appreciation for literature, which he absorbed through audio books.
Ian’s warm, positive, outgoing personality drew people to him everywhere he went. Whether you were a friend, client, family member, or stranger he met on the street, he connected to your heart. He had an incredible craft of wit and storytelling, often turning an everyday conversation into an event to remember. Ian Kent’s spirit touched our hearts and uplifted us with his light.
Ian is survived by his mother Gretchen Randolph, father Eric Kent, sister Carlin Koontz, uncle Coy Lay, cousin David Lay, grandmother Madeline Lay, and Leslie Sprague, his deeply loved partner of 14 years and their dog, Emerson.
The family requests no flowers. If you would like to further honor Ian Kent’s memory, please donate in his name to the Klickitat Trail Conservancy. After pushing the donate button you will be directed to enter a donation of your choice, under the donation amount click the + sign. This will allow you to add a special message with your donation.
Klickitat Trail Conservancy
https://www.klickitat-trail.org/
Ian’s Celebration of Life:
Please join friends and family as we share stories and photos.
Sunday, April 23rd 12pm-3pm
Please join us at
Gino’s Restaurant
8051 SE 13th Avenue
Portland, OR 97202
Additions to the Tribute Wall are appreciated, whether memories or photos.
What’s your fondest memory of Ian?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ian?
Share a story where Ian's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ian you’ll never forget.
How did Ian make you smile?