Tributes pour in for leader Mark Kent
Posted October 4, 2017
Mark B. Kent, CEO of KENTWOOL, Inc. and longtime U.S. textile industry leader, died suddenly Sunday, September 25, in Greenville, S.C. He was 55.
He was the fifth generation of his family to lead the company, which was founded in 1843 in Pennsylvania.
Kent is the second textile industry leader from South Carolina to die suddenly in the past month, following the passing of Inman Mills’ Chairman, CEO & Treasurer Rob Chapman on August 23.
Kent was a past president of the American Yarn Spinners Association (AYSA) and was active in many other industry associations, including the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO). He also was a well-known philanthropist in Greenville County and the state of South Carolina.
This page contains tributes to Kent that were sent to eTC or posted on our social media pages.
Kent was a 1985 graduate of Wake Forest University and a 1986 graduate of Clemson University's School of Textiles.
He became president of then-Kent Manufacturing Co. at age 29 and guided the company through the industry’s downturn. The company, a wool spinner, evolved in recent years to become the manufacturer of “the world’s best sock.”
Mark Kent was a friend I have known for many years (and including his mom and dad). He was never short of great enthusiasm on any subject one desired to discuss, and he had a special smile – he was happy to see you no matter who you were. He leaves fond memories and a great imprint on his company, his friends and Greenville itself. Mark, we will miss you.
William “Bill” V. McCrary Jr.
President and CEO
William Barnet and Son LLC
Spartanburg, S.C.
______
I succeeded Mark as Ppresident of AYSA (American Yarn Spinners Association). During that year, Mark and his wife attended a party where Janie and I were in attendance and he was fully dressed as a woman, Martha as a man. I ribbed him pretty well at the AYSA annual meeting, asking if cross-dressing was what lay ahead for former yarn spinner presidents. To your point, Mark had no hesitancy to make fun of himself. He was such a fun-loving guy.
Janie and I have enjoyed seeing Mark, Kim and their two toddlers at church here in Greenville. Mark was sitting next to us (at Westminster Presbyterian) a few months ago with the twins being the acolytes for the day. Mark stated he was just hoping they did not burn the church down.
Greenville folks have the same appreciation of Mark as an upbeat, enthusiastic leader. He was a delight to be around. He was real champion for the American Red Cross and was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year a few years back.
Mark and I also enjoyed being fellow Demon Deacons. Wake Forest was near and dear to both of us.
We will miss Mark Kent, as well as Rob Chapman, that is for certain.
Charles Little
Vice president, Procurement
Mount Vernon Mills
Mauldin, S.C.
______
I had the pleasure of working with Mark and Tom (Perkinson) for 20 years. Both were true gentlemen and I count it a privilege to have known and worked for Kent Manufacturing. My prayers go out for the family. Mark will surely be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. God bless.
Bill Bagwell
Sent to eTC
Prior to being elected president of the American Yarn Spinners Association, Mark Kent gave his best Superman (a.k.a. Clark Kent) impression on the cover of the Southern Textile News on Sept. 6, 1999.