Roger Wayne Fent

Roger Wayne Fent, 61, of Miami passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born on July 6, 1954 in Kingfisher, Okla. to Ramon and Gala Fent. The son of a high school Vocational Agriculture teacher, Roger was raised with a strong agriculture influence, an influence he has continued to instill in the lives of countless others during his career in education and the agriculture industry. When Roger graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1972, he decided to attend Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) where he graduated in 1974 with an Associate’s Degree in agriculture. The following summer Roger married his wife Sherri Ballenger at the Cleora Methodist Church in Cleora, Okla. Roger then attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. He soon returned to Stillwater as a full-time Nutrition/Physiology research herdsman while working towards his Master’s degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Swine Reproductive Physiology. In 1981, Roger accepted a job offer to return to his alma-mater as an instructor and advisor in the NEO Agriculture Department. During his 32 years at NEO, Roger taught more than 20 different courses in agriculture and served as president and vice-president of the NEO Faculty Association. Roger received many accolades during his teaching career including Outstanding Faculty Member chosen by the students of NEO, the Dobson Teaching Excellence Award, Miami Area Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Educator of the Year, Honorary State FFA Degree, Honorary American FFA Degree, OSU Animal Science Department Graduate of Distinction, Wyandotte High School Outstanding Alumni and was recently inducted into the NEO College of Agriculture Hall of Fame. Roger was very involved in community activities, serving on the Wyandotte School Board, as well as the Ottawa County Fair Board. He also dedicated many hours outside of the classroom as a 4-H leader, Little League baseball coach, youth basketball coach and a Sunday school teacher. Mr. Fent was preceded in passing by his father Ramon Horace Fent. Surviving family are his mother Gala Fent of Miami, his wife Sherri Fent of the home, his children, Russell Fent and his wife Kelli of Wyandotte, Nathan Fent and his wife Lee Ann of Oswego and Sara Fent of the home, his sister Laura Freeman of Miami and his four grandchildren Taylor Fent, Jace Fent, Gracie Fent and Logan Fent. Roger is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many other family members and friends. Visitation will be Sunday, January 3, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami, Okla. Funeral service is Monday, January 4, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Grace Point United Methodist Church in Cleora, Okla. with Pastor Stephen Nation officiating. Interment will follow at the McLaughlin Cemetery in Cleora. The family has asked that Memorial Contributions may be made to the Roger Fent Memorial Agriculture Scholorship in care of the NEO Foundation. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Roger’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Roger Wayne Fent

July 6, 1954 - December 29, 2015