Alfred Reese Zent, Jr.

Alfred Reese Zent, Jr., son and grandson of Arizona pioneers passed away at age 87 in his home at 3122 S. Rogers, Mesa, Arizona in the late afternoon of Saturday, January 28, 2012. Alfred or Reese as his family knew him was born in Miami, Arizona on October 24, 1924 to Alfred Reese Zent and Mary Montgomery. His grandfather William Franklin Zent operated a stagecoach and freight business and was a lawman in the Arizona Territory. His grandmother Ellen Rees came from Wales and was a well-known midwife and pioneer. His maternal grandmother was Mary Celestia Hill born in Mesa in 1883 and later married to Edmund Montgomery. Much of his childhood was spent in Mesa. Reese also spent part of his childhood in Mexico, Chile, and Cuba where his father was employed in the mining business. He was a World War II combat veteran. After graduating from Castle Heights Military Academy in 1942, he enlisted in the Navy and then later transferred to the Army Air Corp. He served as a B-24 tail gunner in the 98th Bomb Group 344 Bomb Squadron stationed in Lecce, Italy and flew the maximum number of missions in action that saw some of highest percentage casualties of World War II. He later returned to Arizona where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Arizona State University. Following graduation he taught school and later worked as an entrepreneur in international business and traveled extensively. He married his first wife Adele Gant in 1945 and had four surviving children: Michael Robert, Ronald Alan, Gary Randolph, and Ellen. In 1965 he married Marjorie Peterson, adopted her two daughters Marcia and Barbara, and was married to her for 39 years until her death in 2003. He is survived by thirteen grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Meldrum Mortuary at 52 N. Macdonald, Mesa, Arizona at 2 pm Saturday, February 18. Donations can be made to the Warrior Foundation.