Kent Thomas Anderson

Kent Thomas Anderson, 80 of West Chester, PA passed away on March 24, 2024. It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon and Kent was at peace as he took his final breaths in the company of his loving wife of 57 years, Pamela Carr Anderson, and his two sons Christian and Jeff.

Although his mind was as sharp as ever, Kent’s body started to fail him in the weeks leading up to his passing. He showed incredible courage in those final days, and as his time came closer to the end, he expressed how grateful he was for such a good life, and how much he truly loved his family and friends.

Born February 27, 1944 in Libertyville, IL, he was the son of the late Harry Anderson and the late Gretta Sutton Anderson Rupp. Despite being born outside of Pennsylvania, and except for a few years out of the country with the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War, Kent was a local boy through and through. He grew up in West Chester, went to West Chester High School (Henderson), and married his high school sweetheart. They’ve lived in the area their whole lives.

The most important thing in Kent’s world was his family. He, and wife Pam, both came from large families and visits with his siblings, kids, grandkids, nieces/nephews, cousins, etc. brought him so much joy.

Kent’s work life was defined by his incredible capacity for hard work and an irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit. He had a variety of different jobs and businesses over the years, and his curious nature led him into very eclectic fields: He worked as a candle maker and owned small shops in St. Peter’s Village and Exton. Later, Kent worked in construction, building private homes and restoring old inns/restaurants (Duling-Kurtz House and Country Inn, Stottsville Inn, Kennedy-Supplee Mansion). His last job was as the owner of a men’s clothing store (Englund’s Apparel for Men, Exton PA).

In his early 50’s Kent was diagnosed with a genetic retinal disease (retinitis pigmentosa) which would soon leave him totally blind. This period of his life was incredibly challenging, and although there were ups and downs, he was able to persevere and adapt to the changes… in no small part due to the love and support of his wife Pam. Kent pursued opportunities to re-learn everyday activities through the School for the Blind and took art classes for the vision impaired at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His art is a beautiful mix of his quirky sense of humor and authentic sensitivity.

In addition to his wife Pam, he is survived by his son, Jeffery (Laura Farwell) Anderson, son, Christian (Fiancé May Nissen) Anderson, grandchildren Kai, Cole, Emma and Adonis, and his brother, David (Kelley) Anderson.

Kent was preceded in death by brothers, Harry, Robert, and Edwin Anderson

He will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 10:00 am - 10:45 am at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street West Chester, PA 19380; followed by his Funeral Service at 11:00 am.

Interment will be in St. Matthews Lutheran Cemetery, Chester Springs PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Foundation Fighting Blindness and/or Scheie Eye Institute

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com