Herbert Richard Gentry

Herbert Richard Gentry Herbert Richard Gentry died on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at the age of 88, in Austin, Texas. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was born in Denison, Texas, to Lula (Richard) Gentry and Herbert Lee Gentry. He graduated from Denison High School in 1936. He later attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Harold Paul Gentry and wife Maxine, and sister Hazel (Gentry) Fawcett. Surviving him is his wife of 67 years Emma Gene (Seale) Gentry; daughter Barbara Ann Sunday; son Rick Gentry and wife Sharon, all of Austin; and son David Gentry and wife Liza of Lago Vista. He is also survived by grandchildren: Karen (Sunday) Gillum and husband Dub of Granbury, Steve Sunday and wife Michelle of Fort Worth, and their father Michael B. Sunday of Fort Worth; Paul Gentry of Sterrett, Alabama; Mark Gentry and wife Stacey of Lubbock; Mary (Gentry) Salakka and husband Mika; and Richard Seale Gentry and John Shadid Gentry of Austin, and their mother Martha E. Smiley; and great-grandchildren Erica and Lauren Gillum of Granbury. He is also survived by niece Gloria (Fawcett) Watson and husband Dr. Clyde Watson of Charlottesville, Virginia and nephew Ed Fawcett and wife Donna (Roach) of McKinney, Texas. After having “aced” the Civil Service exam in1938, he boarded a bus with $10 in his pocket, and headed to Del Rio, Texas to work for the U. S. Border Patrol. After the end of World War II, he moved his family to Austin. It was a beautiful city with libraries, tennis courts and the University of Texas. For the next 36 years, he worked for the Internal Revenue Service where he retired as a section chief at the Data Processing Center. In a governmental career of some 41 years, he won the admiration of his colleagues and numerous service awards. An avid reader and story teller, he lived a vigorous life of intellectual curiosity. His love for writing was resumed upon his retirement and culminated in his leadership of a writing class of his fellow seniors. He had a great appreciation of his family and his love for them was obvious each and every day. As a child of the depression, he learned early in life the value of a dollar and encouraged his children to obtain as much education as they possibly could. His advice to his family was simple and practical and included such admonitions as “you don’t want to grow old and be poor,” “learn to type and you’ll never be without a job,” and “love to read and you can go anywhere in the world.” He leaves behind many friends and a legacy of kindness and civility for which he will be long remembered. In sum, he was an honorable man who was loved by many and in so many ways played his own important role as a member of “the greatest generation.” The funeral service will be held at All Saint’s Episcopal Church, 209 West 27th, Austin, Texas on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Gentry and his family were parishioners of the church beginning in 1945. He served the church as treasurer, vestry member and in many other capacities. The family wishes to thank the staff of The Summit at Westlake Hills and Hospice Austin for their caring support of Mr. Gentry and his family. Contributions can be made to Hospice Austin or other organizations of your choice. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com