Kent Martin Boughton

Kent Martin Boughton, 69, of Grand Island, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on July 26th surrounded by those who loved him after a courageous battle with small cell lung cancer. Services will be at 10 AM Saturday, August 1st at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. Pastor Bill Pavuk will officiate. Livestreaming will be available on the church’s Facebook page. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Cairo, NE. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Friday, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com Kent was born on June 24, 1957, in Minot, North Dakota. At the age of six, he moved with his family to Grand Island, where he grew up and graduated in 1975 from Grand Island Senior High School. Kent's broadcasting career began remarkably early. At just 15 years old, he became a Top 40-disc jockey at KRGI-AM in Grand Island, adopting the on-air name "Kent Clark," affectionately known by coworkers as the "backwards Superman." After graduating high school, Kent attended Brown Institute in Minneapolis, where his passion for broadcasting led to his first television position at KXON-TV in Mitchell, South Dakota. At only 19 years old, he served as Weather Director, Sports Director, and booth announcer. In 1978, Kent married his high school sweetheart, Lori. The couple briefly lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Kent worked as Assistant Sports and Weather Director at KIFI-TV before returning home to Nebraska later that year. They settled near Grand Island, raised their two children, Nicole and Chad, and built a life centered on faith, family, and the outdoors. Kent delighted in sharing his love of hunting, fishing, and Nebraska's natural beauty with his children and grandchildren, creating memories that will be treasured for generations. Kent was a steady and guiding presence in the lives of his children, Chad and Nikki. He cherished values that defined his life—integrity, hard work, respect for others, and the importance of knowing right from wrong. Kent, being a natural leader and a teacher, and was honored to instill his core values in the lives of his grandchildren he adored as well. Kent joined KHAS-TV in Hastings as Weather Director and Outdoor Editor, where he introduced viewers to his popular weekly feature, Kent's Fishing Forecast. On June 3, 1980, during the historic "Night of the Twisters," Kent calmly guided viewers through one of the most devastating tornado outbreaks in Nebraska history, providing lifesaving weather coverage that exemplified his unwavering commitment to the communities he served. In 1999, Kent joined NTV News as Chief Meteorologist, beginning what would become a beloved 24-year career. Along with delivering trusted weather forecasts, he created the popular Outdoor Files segment, sharing his passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors with viewers across central Nebraska. In May 2009, Kent survived a devastating head-on automobile accident that left him critically injured. After being airlifted to the hospital and spending three months recovering, he was overwhelmed by the support of the community he had faithfully served. More than 1,500 cards and letters poured in from viewers, a testament to the lives he had touched and the affection so many held for him. Tragedy struck again on Mother's Day weekend in 2017 when Lori, his high school sweetheart and devoted wife of 38 years, passed away unexpectedly from a massive heart attack. Love never dies as his love for Lori is forever etched in his heart. Though heartbroken, Kent often said that life is not always fair, but the memories of those we love never fade, and that good always outweighs the bad. Those words became reality when a simple act of kindness changed his life. While going through Lori's belongings, Kent found a sympathy card with a note asking for the address of Marcie Ryan, who had recently lost her husband of 33 years. He reached out, and through their shared understanding of grief, a beautiful friendship blossomed into love. Kent and Marcie were married in October 2019 and made their home together in Grand Island, finding joy and hope in a second chance at happiness. Although Kent retired from NTV in July 2023 after nearly a quarter-century, retirement didn't last long. He launched the "Kent Boughton Outdoors" YouTube channel, sharing his outdoor adventures with viewers who had become lifelong friends. In January 2024, he returned to weather forecasting part-time at KLKN-TV, continuing to do what he loved most—keeping Nebraskans informed while pursuing his lifelong passion. Kent was blessed to spend his life doing what he loved. He proudly served as Chief Forecaster at NCN, where his passion for weather, his dedication to excellence, and his love for the viewers he served never wavered—even throughout his courageous battle with cancer. For more than five decades, Kent became one of Nebraska's most recognizable and trusted broadcasters. Whether warning families of approaching storms, sharing the excitement of a fishing trip, or simply offering a warm smile on television, Kent made people feel like neighbors and friends. His integrity, humility, humor, resilience, and deep love for Nebraska left an enduring mark on countless lives. Inducted into the Nebraska Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2024 was a cherished lifetime achievement award for Kent. Above all, Kent will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, outdoorsman, and storyteller. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the communities he faithfully served, and the many viewers who welcomed him into their homes for generations. Kent was preceded in death by his first wife, Lori. He is survived by his wife, Marcie; his loving children, daughter Nicole (Donavon) Anson and son Chad (Jennifer) Boughton his beloved grandchildren; Eli, Owen Avery & Lauren; brother Craig (Leslie) Boughton and sister Karen (Dave) Coker and many extended family members, friends, colleagues, and viewers whose lives were enriched by knowing him. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to family which will be allocated to: Nebraska Wild Turkey Federation youth scholarships, Nebraska Game & Parks /Hunter’s Ed and Nebraska Broadcasters Association college scholarships "The good always outweighs the bad." Those words guided Kent through life's greatest joys and deepest sorrows, and they remain the legacy of a man whose life was truly well lived.

Kent Martin Boughton

June 24, 1957 - July 26, 2026

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Kent Martin Boughton

June 24, 1957 - July 26, 2026

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support