Scott Michael Kent
Scott Michael Kent, a resident of the Nome area for 20 years, and well known for his professional career, his community involvement and his colorful personality, passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2021, of an unexpected heart attack.
He was 45 years old.
Scott grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on the shores of Lake Superior. He was born at Portage Hospital on May 8, 1975, the son of Joan Miron and the late Terrence Kent.
Scott graduated from L’Anse High School in 1993. He attended and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Biology (Zoology). He attended graduate school at Northern Michigan University working towards his MS in Biology when he had an opportunity to work seasonably in Nome for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game as a Wildlife Technician.
Ultimately, he decided to make Nome his home. He worked in commercial salmon and summer crab fisheries and spent time at various field projects and test fishing from southern Norton Sound to above the Artic Circle during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
In 2005, Scott was promoted to a Fishery Biologist. In 2006, he was promoted to the Assistant Area Manager for Arctic Area of the Artic-Yukon-Kuskokwim (AYK) Region of the Commercial Fisheries Division of Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
In June 2016, Scott joined the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) team as their Quota & Acquisitions Analyst. Also, working with NSEDC allowed him to become a commercial salmon fisherman. He was a driving force in getting the fleet fishing again in the Nome Subdistrict while recording four of the greatest Coho (Silver) salmon harvests in the history of the 57 years of commercial salmon fishing in Nome. Scott’s work with NSEDC was driven by his passion for fisheries and the Norton Sound region. Throughout his job, he advocated for the responsible harvest of fish, both locally and in the wider Bering Sea, that would ultimately help improve the lives of Norton Sound residents.
Scott was an artistic woodworker with a perfectionist style. He enjoyed cooking, listening to music, watching sports and movies. He loved to entertain and spend time with friends and family, either at camp, cutting board parties or sharing meals. He loved the subsistence lifestyle: fishing, crabbing, foraging for mushrooms or growing his greenhouse. He generously shared what he had and what he knew. He was a dedicated family man, great storyteller and quite the comedian at times. He was very passionate about his beliefs and wasn’t afraid to let others know. His friends/colleague say, “Scott was always charging ahead to get things done or the way he felt things should be done” and was donned the name “Rolling Thunder.” Many will also say, “he made me laugh so many times!” He had a special knack for making people smile and laugh with his stories, impressions, jokes, wit and banter. He was loved and will be missed by many who were blessed to know him.
Scott is survived by his loving family: partner Kathleen Jaycox, daughter Kaya Kent, stepdaughter Kaylene Evans (Kekai Newman) in Nome; Stepsons Dawson and Mason Evans of Anchorage; Mother Joan Miron of Escanaba, MI and sister Nola (Craig) Asgaard and nephews Taylor and Connor Asgaard of Escanaba, MI. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins also survive him. He was preceded in death by his father Terrence Kent, maternal grandparents Raymond and Doris Miron and paternal grandparents Kenneth and Constance Kent.
No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned at this time. The family will notify loved ones in the future of a time when it is safe to gather for a service. The family thanks everyone who has shown their love and care through donation, food, flowers, and condolences.
