Darryl C. Kent

West Leyden- Darryl Charles Kent, 79, of Mud Lake Road, West Leyden, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 15, 2025 after a brief illness. Darryl was the son of the late Verena and Reuben Kent, brother to Reba Sage (Richard), Larry Kent (Debbie Bruce), and the late Dana Kent. He was husband to Jean, father to Anne Kent-Kwasniewski (Jason) & Sara Kolenda (Mike), and grandfather to Isabelle & Marty Kolenda. Darryl attended school in West Leyden and worked for J.C. Lumber cutting logs just out of school. He was a member of the West Leyden Volunteer Fire Department, West Leyden Fish & Game Club, the West Leyden Reformed Church and the Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W., Boonville.

Darryl was drafted into the U.S. Army on his 20th birthday, January 24, 1966. He arrived in Vietnam on July 6, 1966 and was a member of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 15th Supply & Service Battlion at An Khe, Vietnam. Darryl achieved rank of Specialist while working in the MOS of Ammunition Supply. He unloaded ammunition from Chinooks, sometimes with bullets bouncing off the forklift boom. When he finally left Vietnam on October 24, 1967, his plane to the United States was diverted to land at another airport, due to protesters. Before leaving the terminal, he had to throw away anything that looked like he had been in Vietnam. Darryl was honorably discharged on January 23, 1972.

After returning home, Darryl delivered feed for Agway in Boonville and had his own sawdust delivery & backhoe service on the side. In between working, somehow Darryl managed to meet Jeannie Costie and convince her to marry him, with a little help from their friends, Roger & Dona Beyel! They married on July 17, 1971 and bought their farm in September 1971. Darryl had grown up on a small dairy farm and was no stranger to hard work, determination, and perseverance. Three qualities that also equal stubbornness which in turn, leads to great success. His dairy of 30 cows grew to 60 plus over the next 38 years. And, in true farmer fashion, as the herd grew, so did the size of the barn. When one bulk tank wasn’t enough, in went the second one. He was a proud member of the Oneida-Lewis Milk Cooperative along with his brother Larry. After Anne & Sara came along and Jeannie went back to work as the Librarian in the Adirondack High School, Darryl forged ahead on the farm with the help of so many wonderful people over the years. All of them who passed through surely can recount some colorful stories of working for Darryl!

Over the years he always found time to play his beloved cards. Darryl was always up for a game of pitch, whether it be at the Milkplant Tavern, Highmarket Inn, The Hideaway, or any empty kitchen table, he would get a good laugh in when he put you “up”. That little glimmer in his eye was a sure give-away that he was holding back a trump for the right moment. Darryl also enjoyed pulling his John Deere 70 in the Antique Tractor Pull at the Boonville Fair. It was his pride & joy, and his grandson, Marty, has big plans of taking it back there just as soon as he can join the Jr. Tractor Pullers.

More recently, Darryl enjoyed his trips out to the garage when any of his old friends would stop by. He could con anyone in to helping him fix something, change some oil, or start up a tractor just to hear it run; whether it was the 40, 50, or 620. As long as it was green, he would run it. You could also find him in the side-by-side trailing Anne & Jason offering them some “friendly” advice about farming! He also looked forward to helping Mike & Sara on their dairy farm. Last summer he climbed up on his old John Deere 4010 to start mowing some hay and as Mike jumped off, Darryl grinned at him and said, “See you in the fall!”

Simply put, Darryl was a steadfast man who took pride in his land, his farm, and his family. Jean, Anne, and Sara would like to thank all those who have helped to make Darryl’s last days be comfortable and peaceful. They will be forever grateful that he could remain at home and be beside the big picture window looking over his barn.

A service honoring his life will be Wednesday, March 19th at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville from 12 – 3 followed by the funeral. A catered gathering at the Elks in Boonville will take place immediately after. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of the following: The West Leyden Fire Department at PO Box 205, the Harland J. Hennessy VFW Post 5538, or the West Leyden Reformed Church at 4546 Mud Lake Road. Darryl’s interment with military rites from Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W., Charles J. Love Post American Legion and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, all of Boonville, will take place in Spring 2025, at West Leyden Cemetery.