Kent Emerson Latham

Kent Emerson Latham, 77, of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away peacefully the afternoon of January 30, 2026 at Lyonsview Health and Rehabilitation Center. Kent was born to William Marshall Latham and Dana Sharp Latham on August 8, 1948 and was raised in Maynardville, TN with his older brother, Gary Latham, where he hunted, fished, played basketball, and farmed. He was a member of the 4-H club and showed beef cattle and poultry. He recalled one judge was quite impressed with his 4-H heifer that he had bred himself and asked him twice if it was bred by artificial insemination, which it was not. Kent had chosen the sire and cow himself to breed his prize winning heifer. He also had a pet skunk named Fibber McGee, that slept with him (de-scented, of course). Kent graduated from Horace Maynard High School, class of 1966, with his lifelong friends since first grade, John Collett, T.G. Brantley and Martha Warwick (who was afraid of his pet skunk but remained his friend anyway). He went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1970, and his doctorate from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center School of Medicine in 1973. He finished his residency in 1976 under the supervision of Dr. Richard Sexton and went into private practice with him at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville. He was elected as Chief of Staff in 1984 at only 36 years old where he also had served as Chief of Medicine. There, he served many, many patients with dedication to the highest degree. In fact, when the family was beginning to travel to Disney World for a family vacation, Dr. Latham turned the car around and went back to the emergency room when he discovered one of his patients was there. The family did make it to Disney World and had a wonderful time after the patient was admitted by their own Dr. Latham. In the mid-nineties, he moved his practice to the towns of Rockwood and Harriman to enjoy a more rural life. Some of his patients did not own a telephone so the staff would leave a message for them to call for their lab results at the gas station. His patients loved him. They were constantly bringing him homemade desserts, fruits, vegetables, wood working, quilts, paintings, crochet and more. He treasured them. He retired from medical practice in 2013 after 40 years of healing the sick. It was at this time medicine was changing in ways Dr. Latham could not tolerate with insurance referrals, HIPPA, and red tape getting in the way of his philosophy of practicing medicine. So, he decided it was a good time to retire. It was during this time he reconnected with some old friends and hunting buddies, Al Johnson, Brice Umstead, and Doug Bruce. That crew put thousands of miles on Brice’s car in search of good food and good bluegrass. Kent was a man of faith. He had a Criswell Bible he read to hear God’s word. He believed that one day, we will all be reunited in Heaven if we follow Jesus. He counted on it because he deeply missed his mother who died when he was only 16 from breast cancer and it was her who inspired him to become a doctor. He never judged others for the way they lived. He always said it was none of his business. Kent loved all living things. He loved his dogs, cats, and horses. He even fed a possum regularly at one point. If a plant was dying, he would work hard to revive even it. Most of all, Kent loved his family. While he was a busy man with a literal life or death job, he made time to treat his children to fun times. He loved putting them in the back of his truck and taking them to Cades Cove at dusk where we were sure to find a very fat raccoon waiting on a trash can beside the Cable Mill where he would give the kids Doritos to feed it. They LOVED it and so did the racoon. Remember, it was the 80’s so feeding the raccoon wasn’t as frowned upon as it would be today. He loved taking us to Dollywood, camping and swimming. Even though his schedule was grueling, when he was with the kids, we had a BIG time. He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Ann Latham Davis (husband, Matt), sons, Matthew Kent Latham and Benjamin Seth Latham. He had three grandchildren, Matthew Abram Davis, Mattison Kathleen Latham and Gavin Jack Latham. Through them, Kent’s traits of persistence, pursuit of excellence, loyalty to ones friends and family, and love of the outdoors and animals, and his faith will live on. As time and disease took over his body, he was well cared for by the staff of Lyonsview Health and Rehab. Doctors are not good patients but they earned his respect and were able to take wonderful care of him until his last breath. He was preceded by in death by his father William Marshall Latham and dear mother, Dana Sharp Latham. He is survived by his children, his brother, many cousins, nieces and nephews who he enjoyed seeing at family reunions. To celebrate Kent Emerson Latham’s life, the family will receive friends at First Baptist Church in Maynardville, TN on Saturday, February 14th, 2026 from 11 AM – Noon at which time, Rev. John Collett will lead his friends and family in remembering him. Then, we will eat and enjoy some good music like he would have loved. Afterwards, anyone who wishes can join the family at Carr Cemetery to intern his ashes. When Kent was in the nursing home, every time he saw a commercial with abandoned and hungry animals, he asked his daughter to send them money. So instead of flowers, you might consider sending a donation to the Union County Animal Shelter, 719 Hickory Star Rd, Maynardville, TN 37807 or Faith and Friends Horse Rescue in Corryton, TN, 8505 Corryton Luttrell Rd, Luttrell, TN 37779. He also was very proud to be a 4-H alumni so you could also consider donating to the Union County 4-H Club, 2721 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville, TN 37807. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Kent Emerson Latham

August 8, 1948 - January 30, 2026