Jerry Ray Fent

Jerry R. Fent, 88, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He left this world on August 14, 2023.He was born on October 9, 1934 in Tulsa, OK to Mary Ann Boehnke and Arthur Baker Fent. He was the youngest of three sons. His brothers, Art and Don, were very dear to him. The family moved to Wewoka, OK during WWII to live with his grandparents. After WWII, they moved back to Oklahoma City where he attended Lee Elementary and Capital Hill Junior High. He graduated from Capital Hill High School in 1952. In 1953, he enlisted in the US Army and was sent to the 11th Airborne Division at Ft. Cambell for heavy weapons training as a paratrooper.In 1956, he returned from Europe and enrolled at Central State College (now UCO), pursuant to the GI Bill for veterans, where he graduated with BS Degrees in Math and Physics and a minor in Chemistry in 1959. He was employed by the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation from 1959 to 1960. In 1960, he got a job at the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) as a computer programmer writing software programs on IBM computers for tracking airplane repairs and radar testing programs.While employed at FAA, he met the love of his life, and married Margaret Anna (Ann) Borelli. Together they had three children: Elizabeth, David, and Margaret.Convinced that computers were going nowhere, he enrolled in Oklahoma City University School of Law where he completed a Juris Doctor Degree in 1966. He was then employed as an Assistant Municipal Counselor with the City of Oklahoma City where he worked for over 35 years as an expert on eminent domain. He retired in 1999 at 65 years and, thereafter, was contracted to do special projects part-time for the City in eminent domain cases.Jerry loved Oklahoma and Oklahoma Constitution. He personally filed over 50 lawsuits attempting to correct government acts. His motto was, "The Oklahoma Constitution, as I know it".He was a faithful parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Oklahoma City for 61 years, where he served as lector and usher. He was also a coach and sports coordinator at Rosary School. In 1996, he was invited to join the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, supporting the Christian presence in the Holy Land. He was blessed to journey as a pilgrim in the Holy Land twice. Jerry is survived by his wife, Ann, of 61 years and his three children and nine grandchildren. They include his daughter, Elizabeth (Chris) Borders, and grandchildren James (Erin) Borders, Emily Borders, Margo (Brian) Fannon, and Monica Borders; his son David (Mary) Fent, and grandchildren Anna, Charlie, and Caroline Fent; and his daughter, Margaret (Matthew) Bodman, and grandchildren, Henry and Abigail Bodman.It was Jerry's wish that remembrances be made in the form of charitable donations to the Rosary School Endowment (CFO) Fund at the Catholic Foundation. Please contact Becca David at 405.721.4115 or by email rdavid@cfook.org.Mass of Christian Burial will be 11am Saturday, August 19 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (1901 NW 18th ST, OKC, OK). A wake service will be held at 7pm Friday, August 18 at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home (1401 NW 23rd Street, OKC, OK).