John Kent Booth, 89, former Vice President and Chief Actuary of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026 in Oceanside, CA.

John was born in Pittsburgh, PA on January 25, 1936 to Elizabeth Cunningham Booth and Captain Thomas Kent Booth, a pioneering steamboat pilot. He spent his childhood in Pittsburgh and his teen years in Ashland, KY where he enjoyed playing tuba in the marching band. He also learned to play piano in his youth, establishing a lifelong love of music, especially classical and opera. His lovely baritone voice warmed many hearts over the years.

His intrinsic affinity for numbers and mathematics led him to earn his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. Subsequently, he passed the actuarial science examinations becoming a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member, American Academy of Actuaries in 1969. He held actuarial positions at several large life insurance companies before dedicating more than 20 years of his career to the ACLI.

While serving in the U.S. Army in Seoul, Korea, John met Kyung Hi (Kay) Yang whom he wed in 1960. They started their cherished family in New York City, and with John’s career relocations, the family settled in various places: Wilmington, DE, Suffern, NY, and Bethesda, MD. Upon his retirement, John and Kay lived in the Seattle, WA area where they enjoyed the beautiful natural scenery.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Kay. He will be missed and fondly remembered by his surviving three daughters, their partners, and five grandchildren.

The family will privately celebrate his glorious life. Those wishing to honor his memory may make a donation to pbs.org.

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