Kent Karraker '58
Kent Karraker, long-time council member and former mayor of Normal passed away March 24, 2024 in Stuart, Florida. He was 87.
Kent was born in DuQuoin, Ill., on Feb. 6, 1937, to Ward M. and Camille Davis Karraker. He grew up in Mound City, Ill., where his first job was to lead cows from the barn to a pasture across the road in the mornings and lead them back in the evenings. His father passed away when Kent was 7, and the family moved to Champaign, Ill., when he was 13.
He attended University High in Urbana where he was an outstanding athlete. He was captain of the basketball team, named most valuable player on the track team and lettered in football. Kent graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Radio and Television. He was a member of the Illini Glee Club, the cheer squad and Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. While at the university, Kent met Marcia Landgren on a blind date. They were married on Feb. 14, 1959.
In addition to his wife of 65 years, Kent is also survived by his sister, Kay (James) Cook in Boca Raton, Fla., his daughter, Carla (Mike) Lindner in Longview, Texas, and sons Craig (Jane) Karraker of Stuart, Fla., Kyle (Dana) Karraker and Kent "Chip" Karraker in Normal, and Keith (Steve Silberman) Karraker in San Francisco, Calif. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and a nephews.
After a brief stint with the U.S. Army in New Jersey, Kent moved to Monmouth, Ill., where he was the news director and sports reporter for WRAM Radio. He relocated to Normal in 1962 to work for the Illinois Farm Bureau. He later worked at Heartland Community College in Community Relations and was instrumental in launching the Heartland Foundation.
Kent was initially elected to the Normal Town Council in 1983 after being encouraged to run by his friend and then-Mayor Paul Harmon. He was elected to his first term as mayor of Normal in 1993 and served until 2003. During his tenure, the town began the redevelopment of the uptown area, built the Fairview Aquatic Center and a new Amtrak station.
Kent was an avid golfer and would play regularly with former Normal officials David Anderson and Ron Blemler at Ironwood Golf Course, another development that occurred while he was in town government.
He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Normal where he served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. He was also a member of the Methodist Men organization at the church.
After retirement, he and Marcia began spending winters in Florida and eventually moved there full time. They always made a point of returning to Normal for an extended stay during the summer. Kent and Marcia traveled throughout the United States visiting family and friends and went on a mission trip to Central America. They also made a number of trips to Europe as well as Normal's sister city, Asahikawa, Japan.
They're most recent trip was a cruise to see the Northern Lights in Norway. While leaving the boat, Kent was knocked down by a violent wind, causing a minor brain injury. He was healing and regained his sense of humor, but succumbed to pneumonia shortly after returning to Florida.
Kent enjoyed spending time with his 10 grandchildren, Kyle Karraker, Bethany (Chris) Modos and Dylan Karraker in Normal; Kent Lindner, Keenan Lindner, Kane Lindner and Karin (Angel) Rocha in Texas; and Allison (Joe) Hesketh, Reid (Angelyn) Karraker and Molly (James) Robin in Florida. One of his favorite memories was taking all of his family on various Caribbean cruises. In 2023, he was able to spend time with each of his great-grandchildren, Penelope and Birdie Hesketh, Emmett Modos, Margot Karraker, James Robin and Mia Rocha.
A celebration of life will be held in Normal during the late spring or early summer. Memorials may be made to the Children's Discovery Museum or charity of your choice.
Published by The Pantagraph from Mar. 31 to Apr. 1, 2024.