Kent Mell Whitney, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026, in Spanish Fork, Utah, at the age of 86.
Kent was born on September 10, 1940, in Afton, Wyoming, to Fayette Mellor Whitney and Viola Cleone Hart Whitney. Throughout his life, Kent lived in several communities, including Idaho Falls, Idaho; Afton, Wyoming; Salt Lake City, Utah, San Diego, California; Montrose, Colorado; and Payson, Utah.
He graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1958 and went on to pursue higher education at Brigham Young University (BYU), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and an MBA. Later in life, he continued his passion for learning by working on a Master’s Degree in Journalism.
Kent enjoyed a dynamic and varied professional career. He worked with Dean Witter Securities and Exchange, was involved in sales and sports marketing with the Denver Broncos Football Team, and co-owned Whitney Group, Ltd., Inc. alongside his brother, Bob.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kent served a full-time mission, worked in the temple, and dedicated many years in service of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He served in numerous Bishoprics and High Councils and was very involved in organizing faith-based initiatives across the State of California.
Outside of his civic and religious service, Kent had a passion for sports and loved classic cars.
Above all else, Kent dearly loved family history & his lineage and spent the last portion of his life working on uncovering new insights and facts about his progenitors.
Kent fell in love with and married Josephine “Josie” Kuzov Whitney on February 22, 1992, in San Diego, California.
He is survived by his loving wife, Josephine Whitney; his five children from his marriage to Darlene Tippets Whitney: Tyler Whitney (Jane Whitney), Adrienne Jacobson, Annmarie Ballard (Jonny Ballard), Brigham Whitney (Alison Whitney), and Sarah Margetts (Dave Margetts); his sister, Fayette Whitney Clark; 26 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.
Kent was preceded in death by his parents, Fayette Mellor Whitney and Cleone Hart Whitney, and his brother, Bob Hart Whitney.
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