James E. Kent,, Jr.

James Edward Kent, Jr., the son of the late James Edward Kent, Sr., and Ruth Aldridge (Kent) McLean, was born on September 28, 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland. He departed this life on July 10, 2016. James was known mostly by relatives and friends as "Squirrel" or "Me-Me". Me-Me was a childhood nickname given to him by his late grandmother, Bernice Pauley (Aldridge) Burns. James received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System. He also attended Morgan State University while working as a Security Guard. He later held jobs as a Construction Worker and a Correctional Officer, to name a few. While working as a Correctional Officer he met his wife Doreen who he married in 1993. Out of this union, two children were born, James Edward Kent, III (also known as LJ) and Jamia Alexis Kent. James was a proud father and devoted husband. He was strongly committed to his family and did whatever was necessary to ensure that his family had what they needed. James was also a people person and was known by many. James also loved being his own boss. He was self-employed as a Cab Driver for several years where he was known as the “Singing Cab Driver.” He enjoyed singing to his passengers throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan area. James also opened, operated and managed LJ’s Carry Out, which he named after his son. He would later return to driving a cab until his health began to fail. James had a passion and talent for writing music. He wrote and produced several songs. While getting started on his journey, he produced a music video with the help of his uncle Harold, his cousin Renee and his sister-in-law, Connie. He also performed some of his songs during the African American Festival in 1995 with friend Bill (music player) and Grafton, Soul, Jetta and his wife Doreen who sang alongside him. James did not stop there as he appeared in an article produced by the Sun Paper about his passion for writing music and singing songs. Moving forward, he continued to pursue his passion for music despite his health. He appeared on WJZ’s Television Manic Monday and performed some of the lyrics to his song that he wrote entitled “Purple and Black” which was a song that he enjoyed writing about the Baltimore Ravens. He was later inspired to write songs about the Television Game Shows “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal.” James enjoyed family and friends. He loved his wife and children tremendously. He had a kind heart and always helped others in any way that he could. He enjoyed sports, cooking and traveling, especially travelling to the annual Family Reunions while he was able to do so. James never gave up on his passion for music and his determination to make a better life for his family. His famous motto was “Seeing is Believing.” James leaves to mourn: his wife, Doreen Kent; his son, James Edward Kent, III; his daughter, Jamia Alexis Kent; two sisters, Jada Kent and Charay Carter; mother-in-law, Rosalie Wiggins; sister-in-law, Constance McPherson (Gary); ten aunts, Reverend Mildred Aldridge, Fanchon Kimble (Harold), Rosetta Thurman (Levi), Viola Taylor, Queenie Nelson (Columbus), Willie Nell Aldridge, Eileen Kent, Mary Coleman, Frances Keene and Theresa Kent; uncle, Ernest Aldridge (Nicole); four nephews, Corey Brown, Anton Aldridge, Tiba Aldridge (I’eisha), Timothy Avery, Jr.; and a host of great-nieces, greatnephews, cousins, other relatives and friends

Tributes

James E. Kent,, Jr.

September 28, 1959 - July 10, 2016