Coby James Gent

COBY JAMES GENT Coby James Gent, age 29, was born in Dallas, Texas on July 25, 1979 and went to Heaven to be with the Lord Jesus on December 23, 2008 with his family and friends by his side. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, doctors said he would not live to be six years old. However he had a successful double lung transplant at age 13 at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was then able to play on the Wylie High School baseball team, serve as a football, basketball and baseball manager. After graduation, he moved to Destin, Florida and worked in the restaurant business. Coby could make people laugh so easily. Right before his transplant, his dad, who is a coach, told him that this was not a little scrimmage but the Super Bowl. Coby said, "I know, dad, but I have lots of cheerleaders". And he did! The cities of Wylie and Kaufman hosted a Coby Gent Day to raise money for his medical bills, and after the transplant, honored him by naming him the Grand Marshall in the Christmas parade. Coby's family includes his parents, Todd and Tricia Gent of Scurry, Texas, sister, Casey Gent, of Destin, Florida, who has been a constant companion and caregiver to him, grandmother, Hazel Gent of Kaufman, Texas, grandfather, the late J.W. Gent, also of Kaufman, aunt Jeannie Reynolds of Lewisville, uncle, the late Sonny Reynolds, uncle and aunt Wayne and Tina Gent of Kaufman, grandmother, the late Dena Erwin of Scurry, aunt Linda Speed of Tyler, uncles Charles Erwin and Ricky Erwin of Terrell, and a great aunt, Dona Warren, of Paris, Texas. Coby has many cousins who have been very important in his life. We were the ones blessed by him because he brought so much joy and happiness to our lives. God sent us a special gift when he gave us Coby, we treasure all the wonderful memories, and we are so much better having known such a brave, funny, witty, compassionate, forgiving young man. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Kaufman, Texas at 2:00 PM on January 3, 2009. To all of you, friends, family, teachers and coaches, doctors, nurses, respiratory technicians and all the hospital staffs at Childrens Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital, Baylor Medical Center, and Fort Walton Medical Center of Florida, we appreciate everything you have done for Coby to make his life a little easier. Thank you to the Make a Wish Foundation for making one of his wishes come true. We especially thank our donor's family in South Carolina for the extra sixteen years we were able to spend with Coby because of your selfless gift. Instead of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice. Coby adopted dogs so you could give to an animal shelter. A Coby James Gent Fund has been set up at American National Bank. Also, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is still working on a cure for the disease. The address is cystic Fibrosis Foundation, PO Box 96305 Washington, D.C. 20090-6305