Kentworth Calvin Jackman, Sr.

Kentworth Calvin Jackman, Sr. was the fourth child of the late Edna and Beresford Jackman of Barbados. Kent and his older siblings Violet, Ivan, and Doris grew up in Boston’s Back Bay area.

He attended Boston Public schools before graduating from Boston Trade High School in 1949; then served in the army for two years during the Korean War, where he also explored his joy for playing the trumpet - which contributed to a love for jazz music.

Following his military service Kent continued his education at Wentworth Institute, earning a certificate in mechanical draftsmanship in 1957.

In 1953 Kent married Carolyn McLoud (of Miami FL) and the couple parented three children: Kent Jr., Erik, and Denise. The family lived in Boston’s Roxbury area - where they nurtured their children with a focus on education, chores, and spiritual guidance.

By 1955 Kent was employed as a draftsperson for RAYTHEON COMPANY, where he served in the Bedford, Lowell, and Andover, MA locations. In 1960 he would become a designer, and later a product engineer for the company; focused on the development and supervision of parts and services within the Missile Systems Division. During this same time Kent continued his education at the Lincoln College of Northeastern University – where in 1964 he received an Associates’ Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Between 1968 and ’72 Kent would be positioned in Raytheon’s new job training facility (in Waltham, MA) as a drafting instructor - and later as the school’s Director. His involvement with training, counseling, and curriculum development provided the foundation for later positions at Raytheon as a Human Resources Manager – which presented the opportunity to develop and administer Affirmative Action programs at historically black colleges and universities throughout the duration of his professional career. He retired from Raytheon Company after nearly thirty years of diverse employment.  Other professional accomplishments include serving on the Advisory Council of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), as well as numerous consultation &/or board positions relating to minority recruitment. In addition, he remained a dedicated member of the Men’s Group at Roxbury’s Charles Street AME Church.

On May 8, 2004 – Kent remarried. His bride – Dorothy Wiltshire-Reed had been a friend since childhood. Their reunion, following fifty years of life experiences, was blessed with loving children, step children, grand children and a great grandchild.

As the last child of his generation within the Jackman family, Kent also became the surrogate father to a cadre of nieces, nephews and extended family members spanning no less than three generations. His gentle caring presence and engagingly warm smile will be eternally missed.

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