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- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 26 May 2006.
James J. Gentry, 86 of 295 Lane Avenue died Wednesday, May 24th in Missions Hospital St. Joseph’s campus after a brief illness. Mr. Gentry was born January 12, 1920 and was a lifelong resident of Madison County. Mr. Gentry was a son of the late Alfred and Mae Lampkin Gentry. He was also preceded in death by two sons; Jimmy and Alan Gentry, two sisters; Haladine and Lila Maude Gentry, one brother, Pat Gentry and grandson, Brian Gentry. He had owned and operated Gentry Hardware since 1946; he had worked in the Hot Springs Post Office for the past 33 years and was an agent for CP & L for 59 years. He was an expert craftsman and gardener; he was a little league coach for several years and a Sunday school teacher. Mr. Gentry was a World War II veteran serving in the 365th fighter group for 4 years as a Staff Sergeant and was a devoted member of the Fairview United Methodist Church and the Hot Springs Lions Club.
Surviving is his wife of 63 years Dorothy H. Gentry who he married January 26, 1943. He was the proud father of 3 sons; Ronnie and wife Frances of Franklin, Gary and wife Judy of Asheville and Keith and wife Eva of Weaverville, one brother, Bill Gentry of Gray Court, S. C., grandchildren; Randy, Keitha, Carmen, Hannah, Travis and Brandy, step-grandson, Marty, great grandchildren; Bailey, Gracie and Caden, two step great grandchildren and great companion, Buster, his faithful Bloodhound.
The funeral service will be held at 3:00pm, Saturday, May 27th in Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service, 7626 Hwy. 213, Mars Hill. The Rev. Randy Wood will officiate. Burial will follow in the Fairview United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 pm until the service hour. Serving as pallbearers will be; Randy and Travis Gentry, Adam Ripley, Joe Moffitt, Marty Southard and Timmy King.
Special thanks to Neal and Rhonda Melton, Rev. and Mrs. Lloyd Fish Jr., John Stoffner and employees of Tennessee Museum of Aviation for reviving his love for Military Aircraft, especially the P-47 Thunderbolt, and to his many friends and customers in Madison County for their many years of loyalty and friendship.
Flowers are accepted and appreciated or memorials may be made to the Fairview United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o H. C. Wood, 106 Old Dixie Rd., Hot Springs, N. C. 28743. Online condolences may be e-mailed to the family at www.blueridge-funeral-service.com
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