He received a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1940.

He was an assistant prosecuting attorney and friend of the court in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, from 1941 to 1944.

His service was terminated on January 6, 1971, due to elevation to the Sixth Circuit.

[1] Kent was nominated by President Richard Nixon on December 8, 1970, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated by Judge Bert Combs.

His service was terminated on May 28, 1973, due to death by an apparent heart attack.