Kent Alan Vos, 53, was called Home early Wednesday morning, October 31. Kent was born September 26, 1965 in Manteca, California, to Don and Gert Vos. Kent had been a resident of Ripon for most of his life.
Kent graduated from Ripon Christian Schools in 1983, Dordt College in 1987, and Iowa State University in 1989. He was a well-respected mechanical engineer and specialized in designing and installing bottling lines for the wine industry. After initially working for Cargill in Tampa, Florida, he and his wife of over 30 years, Annserita, moved back to Ripon, California in 1990, when Kent took a job with E&J Gallo Winery. He worked at Gallo for 17 years, managing many different complicated engineering projects, while developing a reputation as one of the foremost bottling engineers in the wine industry. In 2006, Kent joined The Wine Group, in Ripon. He spent the next 12 years mostly designing and managing the installation of highly technical bottling lines. He was respected by those he worked with, from equipment vendors around the world to the many mechanics who installed and made his designs come to life. He appreciated every one of them. His love and passion for his work and his commitment to excellence was clear as he continued to work, even from home, until the last weeks of his life.
He is survived by Annserita and their two daughters, Alexa Green (Dwight) from Ulysess, Kansas, and Taylor Vos of Ripon. He also leaves behind his parents, Don and Gert Vos, two brothers and their spouses, Brian and Lynette Vos and Mark and Karalee Vos, along with one niece and three nephews, Paige, Logan, Danny, and Tristan Vos. He also survived by his in-laws, Dave and Markay Lyon of Ripon, brother-in-law John (Julie) Lyon and their children, Remington and Rider, of Colton, South Dakota, and sister-in-law Davinia Lyon and her children, Torre, Savannah, and Bode of Denver, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Teresa Lyon.
Kent was a dedicated husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He loved following the athletic endeavors of his children and his niece and nephews. He was a life-long faithful member of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, serving as both an elder and deacon and volunteering in many other capacities, giving freely of his time and talents. Kent will be remembered for his incredible faith, strength, and perseverance in the face of his 30-year battle with serious health issues, serving as an inspiration to both family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 3, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, located at 517 Orange Avenue in Ripon.
Remembrances may be made to Dordt College, Kent Vos Memorial Scholarship Fund, 498 4th Ave NE, Sioux Center, Iowa, 51250-1606 or your favorite charity.
Ripon
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, November 2, 2018
