Wylie Kent Gafford, 85

Wylie Kent Gafford, “The Texan,” passed away quietly on Saturday, April 4, 2020 with his wife Faye at his side.

Kent was born in Brady, Texas on March 10, 1935. While he loved Montana, Kent was always truly “The Texan.” He was a kind, caring, generous man who loved people and never met a stranger.

Kent loved life and threw himself wholeheartedly into everything he did. He often said he had a “need for speed” and that’s the way he lived his life … full speed ahead with no regrets.

Kent was born a salesman and worked in sales for years before starting and building Paradigm Valve Services, Inc. in Deer Park, Texas. He was proud of the people who worked for him and for the quality of work they produced but he said he never forgot that Paradigm didn’t belong to him it really belonged to God.

After selling the company he and Faye retired and became “snow birds” in Polson. Their daughter Jenifer and her family soon followed and moved full time to Montana.

Kent and Faye loved riding their motorcycles in this beautiful country and in the last week of his life Kent said “We ought to find the bikes and take a ride.” I guess he’s on the best ride of his life now.

Kent is survived by his wife Faye Brown Gafford; a daughter, Debbie Crawford and family; a son, Kevin Gafford and family; a daughter Lorrie Burt of Pearland, TX and her family; a son, Gip Gafford of Delta, CO and his four children: Cody Milam, Cassidy Gafford, Callie Gafford, and Cade Gafford; a daughter, Jenifer Clark (husband Ward) of Whitefish, MT and a granddaughter Brittanie Burrows (husband Chance and son Hunter) of Florence, MT who Kent always said gave him a second chance to “do it right”.

No services are planned at this time for Kent. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.