Read David "Dave" John Zent's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

David "Dave" John Zent

Bakersfield, CA

August 2, 1955 - October 31, 2021

Aug 2, 1955 - Oct 31, 2021

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David John Zent

David John Zent was born in Fresno, CA on August 2, 1955 to Maxwell David and Jacqueline M. Zent. The Zent family first made their way to Bakersfield in 1957 at the behest of the Urner family, who hired “Dave Maxwell” to manage a new TV station and the KBIG radio station. A graduate of Garces Memorial High School, David met his first wife, Linda Alexander Zent, at Bakersfield College. They married in 1975, and shared 4 of his 5 daughters. In 1991, David’s middle daughter was born to Joan Redstone.

David was well known in Bakersfield from a young age for his many talents--singing, writing, directing, producing, and acting. After several years managing Walt Williams’ Redwing Shoe Store on Chester Avenue by day, and by night performing in bands with various local musicians, he began a career as a producer/operator, writer, director, and performer in the local Theatre scene. He co-owned “Power Productions” and “The Vaudeville Express Melodrama Musical Theatre” (with Shari Fortino and John Milburn) from the mid-80’s through the late 1990s, where many of his original musicals ("Sweeny Todd," "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," "David Zent's Phantom of the Opera," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Sherlock Holmes," amongst many others) were first produced. He operated and contributed to several other theatres in Bakersfield throughout his lifetime including The Historic Fox Theatre, The Encore Dinner Theatre, BCT, BMT/Stars, The Candlelight Dinner Theatre, The Gaslight Melodrama, The Jewel Box Theatre, The Spotlight Theatre, and The Intimate Theatre. His many works have been produced and published under his company “David Zent Prezents.”

One of David’s greatest gifts was fostering talent. He loved to see young performers and artists grow and blossom, and supported and encouraged the realization and advancement of many now-professional artists throughout his theatre career. The promotion and advancement of arts-education was a life-long passion. One of his last pursuits was involvement in creating a performing arts charter school in Kern County, specifically for children who are working artists.

1995, he memorably followed in his father’s footsteps hosting a USO-style “Camp Show” singing his own version of “Thanks for the Memories,” to honor Bob Hope for his contributions to Veterans at The Bakersfield Business Conference. Other memorable performances included events with celebrities such as Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, Jay Leno, President and Mrs. George HW Bush, and Colin Powell, amongst many others. He wrote countless songs for his children, multiple musical reviews, and satires of already famous pieces. If you were ever looking for Dave there was a high possibility of finding him at one of the various coffee shops (Java Jazz) or cafes around town, writing one of his many playscripts or an editorial for The Bakersfield Californian. You could also find most of his family members performing, working in the box office, or assisting in operating any one of the establishments that served as a home-base for David.

David was not only well-known for his beautiful voice, charisma, and ability to entertain, but also had a unique ability to weave a tale and write passionately about subjects that intrigued and concerned him. Throughout his life, numerous letters, articles, and stories were published in local newspapers and magazines. His collection of stories often featuring “Danger (or Jungle) Dave” and “Girl-Bike” is being curated and edited for publication in a book about his life and experiences in and around Bakersfield. This work still continues.

Around 2010, he largely abandoned his artistic endeavors to care for his Mother through her last years as she waged her own battle with cancer. Following her death in the Spring of 2015, along with a series of concerning health issues, David was diagnosed with head, neck, and throat cancer after being denied any form of healthcare and treatment multiple times. Two major surgeries temporarily taking his voice and drastically altering his appearance only strengthened his resolve to share his love for life, art, and humanity, all the while fighting for his own life. He spent his remaining years volunteering, learning and performing healing work, baking, spending as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren, writing, regaining his voice, and meeting the love of his life, Chrystine.

In mid October, David was admitted to City of Hope for bi-lateral pneumonia. Here we learned the devastating news that he also had advanced lung cancer. The last few weeks of his life, with his wife and children by his side, he fought valiantly to his last breath on Sunday, October 31, 2021. Our family is forever grateful to the professionals at City of Hope for their compassion and expertise in caring for him in his last days.

One of the last things that David said to us was: "The only thing that matters is love. Love and be loved," a defining motto in his life. He exuded love and spent his life sharing that love through his voice, his writing, his art, and his children. David is survived by his 5 daughters: Chelsea J. Zent, Candice E. Zent, Jacqueline B. Redstone, Emma A. Zent, and Alexis A. Zent; 3 granddaughters: El "Pixie" Friedman, Amelia Redstone, and Aria Redstone; his wife Chrystine; his brother Christopher Zent; his sisters Therese Wilson and Joan Durrett; his uncle David Stetler (Paula Stetler); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in David’s name to Garces Memorial High School to award a graduating senior who has been active in theatre. Donations can be sent to Garces Memorial High School, 2800 Loma Linda Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93305. To give online you can go to https://garces.org/giving/tri… A public Celebration of Life is being planned for the Spring of 2022.

David John Zent--forever in our hearts. (August 2, 1955-October 31, 2021) “Thanks for the memories,” Dad.

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