UNION — Charles A. Kent III, 51, died Jan. 28, 2017, at home of sudden cardiac arrest. Born in Augusta on Oct. 16, 1965, he was the beloved son of Charles A. Kent II of Hudson, Mass., and the late Patricia M. Kent.

Charles was a graduate of Georges Valley High School in Thomaston. He then attended the University of Maine at Orono, graduating in 1997 and earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

During high school, he served as a volunteer fireman with the Thomaston Fire Department and was also an emergency medical technician for the ambulance service. For five years, he worked as a guard at the old Maine State Prison in Thomaston, before continuing his education at University of Maine-Orono.

After graduating from UMO, he began employment at Midcoast Maine Community Action, where he found his career, using his passion for computing and computer networking, as the Information technology director. He enjoyed the challenges associated with networking different types of computers and operating systems, so they would communicate with each other and the associates who used them.

Special people in his life were his brothers and their wives, Donald and Arlene Kent, and Steven and Karin Kent; as well as Jean Ouellette, Joyce Goodwin Kent, and Pennie Aiken Kent; his stepsons; and several nieces and nephews.

Charles loved the animals on his 8-acre farm, and his pets, a tribute to his kind heart. Mechanically gifted, he spent countless hours tinkering on his cars and machinery, and was always glad to help out with a jury-rig fix for any problem. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle everywhere when he was young and then loved his 1980-something truck till it would move no more. Charles' quick wit and snarky humor always drew out groans and smiles from those around him. He was stubborn as a mule and had strong opinions concerning politics and most other topics, which guaranteed lively conversations that will be missed by all who knew him.

A spring memorial service is planned.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg, ME 04037, or at (http://harvesthills.org).

The family is being assisted by Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.