Barbara Ann Gentry

Barbara Ann (Benson) Gentry, 52, passed away peacefully at Providence Medical Center, surrounded by family, early Tuesday, September 29, 2015. She was born on July 2, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of James and Denise Benson. After living in Seattle, Juneau, Alaska, and Norfolk, Virginia, she and her family finally settled in Ashland, Oregon in 1970. Joining the cross-country team in 9th grade, Barb began a life-long love of the sport. In the spring of 9th grade on the Ashland High varsity track team, Barb ran the mile in 5:03 minutes. For the next three high school years she enjoyed many competitive cross country and track events, including annual Oregon state meets in both sports. Following graduation from Ashland High School in 1981, she attended Southern Oregon University, where she met the love of her life, Gregory Gentry. They married April 19, 1986, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ashland, Ore. He received his commission as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and they moved to Pensacola, Florida, where Greg became a naval aviator. They also lived in S. California where Barb worked in the dental field. She joined Greg in Okinawa, Japan, and volunteered her time at the Marine Corps Dental Clinic, receiving several awards for her efforts. Barb, a happy, positive person, loved life and never wanted to miss an opportunity to be with family and friends. Travels to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia as well as Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria were among her favorite experiences. She enjoyed a glass of wine while on her deck, surrounded by beautiful flowers, talking and sharing memories with her loving husband Greg. Barb was a wonderful and amazing mother. Her only child, Alexander Thornton Gentry was born August 9, 1991, in Newport Beach, California. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 2010 and Cum Laude from S.O.U. in 2013. She helped mentor Alex in his professional development. The family hosted Sophia Congost, an exchange student from Germany, in 2008. She and Sophia developed a close and lasting relationship. During one trip to Europe, Barb visited Vatican City with her family for an outdoor mass with the Pope.The experience was so profound that Barb converted to Roman Catholicism. The only time she opened her eyes during her last 36 hours was during the priest’s administration of her last rites. Barb touched countless people worldwide with her love, compassion, and selflessness. She always gave every endeavor her utmost attention and effort. She was rewarded with the respect and friendship of many people worldwide. Barb received an award of Excellence in 2008 from the Academy of Bioesthetic Dentistry. Professionally, Barb worked with her father in his dental practice in Ashland for over twenty years. She also instructed many people in dental techniques and office management while an instructor with the O.B.I. Foundation for Bioesthetic Dentistry, an international teaching institute. At the time of her passing Barb was the Executive Director of the O.B.I. Foundation. She used her extraordinary writing, speaking, and leadership skills in her passion for helping people through dentistry. In addition to her only child Alex, Barb is survived by her beloved husband of 29 years, Greg, her parents James and Denise Benson, her brothers Jim and John Benson, her nieces Jasmine Benson, Jenna and Kylie Steele, her nephews John, Jake, Jim, and Jordan Benson and numerous cousins, friends, and relatives. A funeral mass is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2015, 12:30 P.M., at Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church 600 Beebe Rd., Central Point, Ore., with internment at the Eagle Point National Cemetery at 2 p.m. and a celebration of life reception following at Lark’s Restaurant, Medford, Ore. Memorial contributions may be made for an e-learning platform in Barbara’s name to OBI Foundation, 16 N. Riverside Ave. Medford, Ore. 97501 call at 541-245-2808.