Obituary for Kenton Nesbit

Dr. Kenton Ellerson Nesbit

October 11, 1931 – May 4, 2018

Dr. Kenton E. Nesbit died peacefully on May 4, 2018 , 2018 after a long battle with cardiovascular disease and a short battle with pneumonia.

Kent Nesbit was born on October 11, 1931 in Garner, Iowa to Doris Smith Nesbit and Floyd “Nibbs” Nesbit. His younger years were spent having childhood adventures around Clear Lake, Iowa. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1949. While spending a couple semesters attending the University of Iowa he met and wed Geraldine Stover, his wife of 64 years, on December 6, 1952. He then enlisted in the US Army and was transferred to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where the first of his four children was born. After his two year stint in the Army, he returned to the University of Iowa to attend dental school. His next two children were born in Iowa City. Upon his graduation from the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry in 1960 he joined the Public Health Service where he served as Dental Officer in the Federal Prison System working in prison facilities in Fort Worth, TX and El Reno, OK. His fourth child was born in El Reno, OK. Upon his resignation from the Public Health Service, he opened his first private practice in the Community Building at Third and Grand in Ponca City, OK. After two years at that location he moved his dental practice to Tonkawa, OK where he practiced dentistry for 47 years. There were many citizens of Tonkawa that were his patients and he certainly enjoyed the small town atmosphere in Tonkawa. The coffee group he was a member of spent many hours at the doughnut shop and later, at the Jiffy Trip solving the world problems. He was an active member of the Lion’s Club for many years and served on the Tonkawa School Board. His long time church family was the Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell, OK. He was also a lifetime member of the Oklahoma Dental Association.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geri Nesbit; his mother, Doris Nesbit and his father, Nibbs Nesbit. He is survived by his four children, their spouses and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a gracious thank you to all the nurses (especially those in the CCU), the physcians and the hospital personnel at the Ponca City Hospital that took excellent care of our father during his recent hospitalizations. We would also like to thank the personnel at Creekside Assisted Living for their compassion during his short stay there.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 125 Vinnedge Street, Blackwell, OK on Thursday, May 10th at 2:00. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Kent’s honor, to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601. The family would like for you to share your memories of Dr. Nesbit at www.trouttonkawa.com.

Source: Trout Funeral Home