Kent Tawes Trader

Kent Tawes Trader died unexpectedly early Monday morning, August 8, 2022, shortly after being rushed to Wake Med.  Kent grew up and spent most of his life on the farm (Stephenson Road, RD #1, Angier) where he was born September 8, 1946.   As a youngster, Kent was a builder and problem solver, always figuring out how to use what was at hand.  As it turns out, Kent’s post retirement life involved many of these same skills as family and neighbors depended on Kent for their new deck or addition or to fix whatever had gone wrong around the house or barn. 

Kent graduated from Cleveland High School, attended Mount Olive College, and completed the certified drafting course at WW Holding.  He was a bridge inspector for the State of North Carolina for 30 years.  Following retirement, Kent took the necessary course work to become a home inspector, starting a business in which he worked until the last year of his life.

Throughout his life, Kent loved horses and all things to do with these great creatures.  The beautiful house he built was surrounded with riding rings, stables, horse trailers, and pasture.   The lifelong team of Kent and Michael, his older brother, attacked every project that came up whether it was building a barn, putting up a fence, or going to Mule Days with tenacity, gusto, and love.

Kent is survived by his beloved son Kent Christopher Trader, brothers Michael (Mildred) and Lyle, sisters Becky and Barbara, and nieces and nephews who had the advantage of his horse skills and loved having an uncle who always wore boots and a cowboy hat. 

A celebration of Kent’s life is Thursday, August 11, 3 pm, at Freedom Chapel Church, 2903 Baileys Crossroads Road, Benson, NC 27504.   In memory of Kent, gifts may be made to Mule City Mule Club (1173 Byrdtown Road, Benson, NC 27504), Freedom Chapel Church, or a charity of choice.