|
Rodney Kent Harrah, former Albuquerque resident passed away in Los Angeles on August 23, 2002 after a long struggle with prostate cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Anne"Ginger" Harrah; daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Carl Bronson of Los Angeles; son, Richard Harrah of Seattle; and son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Diana Harrah of Long Beach, CA. Kent is also survived by his mother, Juanita Harrah of Beckley, WV; and sister and brother-in-law, Tamara and Mike Jones of Southport, NC.Kent was born November 27, 1938 in Powellton, WV. He entered the United States Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in 1959. He received a commission and navigator wings a year later, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1979. Kent was a Vietnam Veteran with two deployments as a B-52 crew member and one as a staff officer. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, seven Air Medals, and two Meritorious Service Medals among other decorations. His last assignment was at Headquarters, United States Air Force, the Pentagon.After Air Force retirement, Kent was a systems analyst and program manager with the BDM Corporation in Albuquerque. Later, he became active in programs and agencies serving the needs of the disabled community. He planned and led the creation of the Independent Living Resource Center, a non-profit agency assisting disabled adults to live more independently. He also played a major role in establishing the New Mexico Relay, an agency that enables speech and hearing impaired persons to communicate with hearing and speaking persons via the telephone.Kent received a BA from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from New Mexico Highlands University. The family requests that friends wishing to make a memorial contribution send their tax deductible donation to Zia Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America, 833 Gibson Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87120.In accordance with Kent's wishes, cremation has taken place in Los Angeles, CA. Burial will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2002. Military honors will be bestowed.
|
