Kent John Sperry

Kent John Sperry, 70, fulfilled his earthly mission on May 7, 2025. He passed away at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his family, due to head trauma from a fall.

Kent was born on June 1, 1954, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to John and Vera (Ashment) Sperry. He was the youngest of their four children, and as such was the spoiled baby. He grew up on their family farm in Shelton, Idaho, where he had many adventures that only country boys enjoy. He would come home with snakes, spiders, and bugs in his bib overall pockets much to the dismay of his mother who had to clean out the pockets outside because she never knew what she was going to find! The family worked hard and also enjoyed summers fishing and visiting Yellowstone Park. Kent attended grade school at Ucon Elementary. When he was a sophomore, he attended Ririe High School where he met and dated his high school sweetheart, Debra Humpherys. After graduating from Ririe in 1972, Kent and Debra married on March 16, 1973 in the Ogden, Utah, LDS temple. After attending a semester at Rick’s College, Kent went to work on the family farm and also worked at the U and I Sugar Factory during the winters. He continued farming for a living. He raised many crops and beef cattle.

Kent and Debra were blessed with three wonderful boys and as Kent said, “one princess.” He was a very loving and supportive husband and father and always attended his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. When his daughter was a freshman and was traveling to Challis for games, they bought a new car so they could drive the distance to watch her play.

Kent had a tender heart, which he said he got from his mother, and his life was built on serving others. He truly exemplified the scripture, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God,” (Mosiah 2:17). Kent was known for keeping his ongoing “list” of birthdays and loved calling and singing, “Happy Birthday.” Though it may have been off-key, everyone appreciated that he remembered them and made them feel special. Along with birthday songs, for many years he delivered donut holes to birthday recipients and was famously known throughout the Ririe community as the “Donut Hole Guy.” He also loved giving roses to widows every Valentine’s Day, calling veterans and thanking them on Veteran’s Day, buying food at Los Albertos for the missionaries, taking delicious homemade popcorn around to people who talked in church, cleaning out neighbor’s snowy driveways with his tractor, and helping deliver meals for the Ririe Senior’s Center. His love and compassion touched everyone he met.

Kent loved to talk and always had a good story. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and would readily share his testimony at church and with those he came across. He happily served in the Rexburg temple for many years and enjoyed participating in sealings every week with his wife. Kent served in many church callings but his favorite was teaching primary children.

Kent was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age. It was a lifelong trial, but he endured it well. This last year Kent had struggled with some health issues but made many new friends including nurses and fellow patients along the way.

His unfailing service will be dearly missed, but his work will continue on the other side. We take peace knowing he was reunited with his father and mother, John and Vera Sperry, and sister Nancy Mecham, along with other deceased relatives and now his body is completely whole.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Debra of Ririe, ID; sons: Jeff (Jennifer) of Bozeman, MT; Bryce of Ririe, ID; Bryan (Missy) of Brigham City, UT; and daughter, Caryn (Tyler) Johnson of Ririe, ID. He was the grandpa of 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon (Bruce) Parker of Rexburg, ID; and brother, Ron, of Ririe, ID.

Services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ririe Stake Center with a viewing on Thursday, May 15 at 6:00-7:30 p.m. and Friday, May 16 at 9:00-10:30 a.m. Graveside services will follow at the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery. In memory of Kent, go do something kind for someone else today!

Condolences may be sent to the family on line at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com