Kent Eston Harrington

Kent Eston Harrington, 44, passed away on January 19, 2024 at his home in Tomball, TX surrounded by family following his battle with Colorectal Cancer. Kent was born on April 17, 1979 to Eston and Susie Harrington.  Kent leaves behind his wife, Natacha, and 3 daughters, Madison Alexis and Isabella (19 old twins) and Alyssa (16) as well as his dogs and cats.  Kent was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, military veteran, Manchester City F.C. fan and most importantly, a child of God. He loved military and old western movies, a variety of music, reading, traveling, boating, camping, mentoring, family, and serving at church.

Kent graduated from The Woodlands High School in 1997 and enlisted in the United States Navy.  He served as a Boatswain’s Mate (BM) before cross-rating to Intelligence Specialist (IS) also earning the designation of Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (SW) and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (AW).  During his 8 years of service, he was a Search and Rescue Swimmer, advanced small boat driver, oil spill responder, firefighter, security team, and rig operator.  He was stationed from New Jersey to Hawaii to Maine and was deployed throughout the Mediterranean and Central America.  Petty Officer First Class Kent Harrington was Honorably Discharged in 2006 as IS1 (SW/AW).   He went on to use his naval experience in the oil and gas industry with a focus in emergency response and oil spill clean up.  He ended his career as the Director of Business Line for Clean Harbors Environmental Services.

For all of his naval achievements, he was proudest of meeting his wife, Natacha, when they were stationed aboard the same ship.  Kent and Natacha were married in 2001. They loved telling the story of how they poured bottles of water over each other’s heads and dated throughout the Mediterranean.  Kent and Natacha attended Hawaii Pacific University together and graduated with their Bachelor degrees with Kent earning a B.S. in Diplomacy and Military Studies. He had hopes of one day finishing his Master’s Degree in History and teaching History at a military academy.

Kent played youth baseball and soccer and later played football in high school.  He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and in church (The Woodlands First Baptist and later First Baptist Church Tomball).  He served as a troop leader in Hawaii, in his local HOA as president, as a swim team Ready Bench Coordinator, and a Kuk Sool Won mentor.  Before his passing, Kent was presented with his Certificate of Dahn, qualifying him as a First Degree Black Belt in the Korean Traditional Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won.

Kent was a certified soccer referee alongside daughters Isabella and Alyssa.  He quickly became a respected referee and was planning to serve on the Houston Southwest Soccer Officials Association board before being diagnosed with cancer.  He was a fixture at AD Dyess park and was also a TASO referee, refereeing at high school games in the Houston area.  His last time refereeing, he was told by a parent that he was her favorite referee.   

In 2022, life changed after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer.  His response was that this was going to be exciting because he knew he was going to see his Lord just a little sooner than the rest of us.  He provided comfort to all his health providers through his faithfulness and belief in his Lord and Savior.  Through the help of his Texas Oncology and the Veterans Administration teams, Kent was able to come home and attend his Celebration of Life on January 14, 2024.  He was blessed to see everyone who traveled to come see him and be able to say goodbye for the last time.  

Kent is survived by his wife, Natacha, daughters, Madison Alexis, Isabella, and Alyssa, parents Eston and Susie Harrington, brother Brett Harrington (Aleksandra), sister Jennifer Couch (Troy), nieces Emilia and Sidney, nephews Joshua and Vincent, mother-in-law Ingrid Cherry, father-in-law Lester Elsbree, aunts, uncles and cousins. Kent was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Edna Russell, Charles and Joyce Harrington, aunt Anne (Russell) Grossman, uncle Charles Russell, and brother-in-law Duane Elsbree.  

Military burial will be on March 15, 2024 at Houston National Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. starting promptly at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 11:00 a.m.  A Celebration of Life was held on January 14, 2024 and a burial at sea is planned for some time in the future.  A fund is being set up to assist future referees with start up costs in honor of Kent.  Please contact Natacha Harrington at hopkinsusn@yahoo.com for more information.

Fair winds and following seas…we have the watch.