Kent Bohanon, age 46, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away on August 29, 2026.
Kent lived his life with an extraordinary love for his family, an unwavering loyalty to his friends, and a genuine desire to make life better for the people around him. To know Kent was to know someone who loved deeply, gave generously, laughed loudly, and showed up-again and again-for the people who mattered to him. He was the kind of person whose presence filled a room, whose friendship could always be counted on, and whose absence will be felt more deeply than words can express.
Kent was a 1998 graduate of St. Mary’s High School and went on to graduate from Murray State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and a Master of Business Administration. He was the proud owner of Kent Bohanon State Farm Agency, where he earned the professional designations of Chartered Financial Consultant and Retirement Income Professional. Kent took great pride in his career, but even more importantly, he cared deeply about the people he served and the relationships he built along the way.
One of the most meaningful parts of Kent’s professional life was his involvement with his State Farm DHC study group. What began as a group of colleagues grew over the years into something far more important-a brotherhood and a second family. These men walked beside Kent through multiple seasons of life, offering encouragement, guidance, accountability, laughter, friendship, and unwavering support. They were there for the professional challenges and successes, but their bond reached far beyond work. They supported Kent throughout his personal and spiritual journey as well, and he valued their friendship above all else. Kent genuinely looked forward to their meetings, conversations, shared experiences, and time of fellowship. He treasured the trust they shared and the ability to learn from one another, laugh together, challenge one another, and simply do life together. To Kent, the DHC was never just a professional group. These men had become family, and their friendship held a very special place in his heart.
Kent was a member of Lone Oak First Baptist Church, where his faith was reflected not only in his involvement with the church, but in the way he lived his life. Kent had a servant’s heart and freely gave his time and energy to others. Whether volunteering at church, coaching soccer and basketball through Upward, helping a friend, supporting a family member, or simply seeing a need and stepping in to meet it, Kent was always willing to help. For him, caring for others was not something he talked about-it was simply who he was.
Kent’s Wednesday morning Bible study group became an especially meaningful part of his faith journey. Kent thrived on the encouragement, friendship, and fellowship he found among these men. Their weekly time together strengthened his walk with Christ and gave him a place to grow in his faith alongside friends he deeply respected and cared for. Kent treasured those Wednesday mornings-the conversations, the prayers, the laughter, the honest discussions, and the opportunity to encourage and be encouraged by others. Those friendships were his rock and became another source of strength, accountability, and love in his life.
Above everything else, Kent loved his family.
His greatest joy and proudest accomplishment in life was being a father to Jayce and Reese. There was nothing he loved more than being their dad. He cherished the ordinary moments with them just as much as the milestones-the conversations, the laughter, the family trips, the practices, the games, and all the time spent together.
Kent rarely missed an opportunity to be there for his children. He loved sitting in the stands, cheering them on, encouraging them, coaching them, and watching them grow into the people they are today. He was endlessly proud of Jayce and Reese-not simply for what they accomplished, but for who they were. Their interests became his interests, their successes brought him tremendous joy, and their happiness mattered to him more than anything in the world. He believed in them completely and loved them beyond measure. Being their father was the role he treasured most.
Kent shared 20 years of marriage with his loving wife, Tracy. Together they built a life centered around their family, their children, their friends, and countless memories that will forever be treasured. Kent and Tracy truly were an unstoppable team-partners in every sense of the word. They shared a love of travel, adventure, and new experiences, always looking forward to the next place they would go, the next memory they would make, and the next story they would have to tell. Whether exploring somewhere new or simply navigating the everyday joys and challenges of life, they did it side by side. They built a beautiful life together, one filled with laughter, friendship, family, adventure, and a love that grew deeper through every season.
Kent also had an incredible gift for bringing people together. Kent was fiercely loyal to those he loved. Family and friends knew he was in their corner. He was dependable, protective, generous, and always willing to lend a hand, offer advice, share a meal, make you laugh, or simply be there when you needed him. He loved cooking and took great pride in preparing meals for the people he cared about. For Kent, food was another way of showing love. He enjoyed entertaining friends and family, gathering people around a table, playing music, telling stories, laughing, and making sure everyone was having a good time.
Music was a constant source of enjoyment for Kent, and his charismatic and outgoing personality made him unforgettable. He truly was the life of the party. His laugh, his sense of humor, his stories, his larger-than-life personality, and the way he could make people feel welcome will be remembered by so many.
But beneath that outgoing personality was an incredibly caring and sentimental heart. Kent loved his people fiercely. He valued lifelong friendships, treasured his family, and never hesitated to tell others how proud he was of the people he loved. His loyalty was unwavering, his generosity came naturally, and there was very little he would not do for someone he cared about.
Kent leaves behind a life that cannot be measured simply by years, professional accomplishments, or titles. His legacy is found in the people he loved, the friendships he nurtured, the children he adored, the lives he touched, the laughter he created, and the countless memories that will continue to be shared for years to come.
He will be remembered as an extraordinary father, a loving husband and family man, a devoted son and brother, a loyal friend, and a person who made life brighter and more fun simply by being part of it.
Those who loved Kent would give anything for more time-one more conversation, one more meal around the table, one more game together, one more song, one more laugh. His loss leaves an immeasurable hole in the hearts of his family and friends, but the love he gave so freely throughout his life will remain with them forever.
Kent was deeply loved. He will be profoundly missed. And he will never, ever be forgotten.
Kent is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Tracy Perkinson Bohanon; his beloved children, Jayce and Reese Bohanon; his parents, John (Brenda) Bohanon and Carolyn Bohanon; his sister, Laura (Todd) Duff of Paducah; and his father- and mother-in-law, Greg and Phyllis Perkinson, along with many extended family members and dear friends who loved him deeply.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’”
- John 11:25-26
A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Heartland Church with Dr. Scott Thomas officiating.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until the 6:00 pm service time on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Heartland Church.
You may leave a message for the family or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.
