Oakes Kent Lawrence Jr., 83

TILTON — Oakes Kent Lawrence Jr., 83 of 21 Pillsbury Lane in Tilton died Sunday, August 7, 2005 at the Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia following a period of failing health. He was born in Franklin on December 19, 1921, the son of Oakes Kent Lawrence Sr. and Hazel (Moses) Lawrence. Kent attended Tilton School and later was one of the first graduates from the Tilton-Northfield High School in Tilton, class of 1941.

He earned a slot in the civilian pilot training program, then served as a civilian flight instructor for the Air Corps. Kent later served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II in the Air Transport Command Division where he flew fighters including the P-47, 48, 51 and 38. During the Korean War he was called back to serve with the U.S. Air Force, Flight C and D of the 6th Air Rescue SQDN from 1951 to 1953. He was stationed in Greenland and Labrador for air rescue and weather research support. While in Labrador he managed and drove the USAF rescue sled dog team, representing the USAF in the Canadian Sled Dog Championships.

He lived in the Newfields-Freemont, New Hampshire areas from the 1950s to 1980s, before moving back to Tilton. Kent was a pilot for Eastern Airlines from 1951 until 1981 where he commanded aircraft from the Douglas DC3 through the Boeing 727.

Kent enjoyed forestry, boating, aviation, running, walking and the outdoors in general. He was a former member of the New England Sled Dog Club. He was a member of the Society for the protection of NH Forests, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, Kittery Point Yacht Club and Power Squadron.

He had great interest in sled dog racing, Squam Lakes Conservation Society and Lake Umbagog Wildlife Refuge.

Kent attended the Northfield-Tilton Congregational Church in Tilton.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Glendora (Collins) Lawrence; and by a son, Robert Lawrence. His family includes four sons, O. Kent Lawrence III of Newfields, Scott T. Lawrence of Anchorage, Alaska, Andrew G. Lawrence of Sanbornton, and Charles A. Lawrence of Sanbornton; their stepmother Margaret; Kent's companion, Dodi Greenwood; three grandchildren; a sister, Virginia Peterson of Sanbornton; and nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a service following at noon in the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road in Tilton. Private burial for Kent's family will be at a later date in Park Cemetery in Tilton.

Expressions of Sympathy may be made to, Nursing Education Fund, LRGH, Attn: Patti Rice, 80 Highland St., Laconia, NH 03246

For more information go to smartfuneralhome.com.