Howard Gentry

Robert Howard Gentry, everyone called him Howard, was born on October 31, 1926 in a log cabin built by his grandfather in Crawford County, and left to be with Jesus at 10:17 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, 2017 from Chetopa, KS.

Howard served in the United States Navy in World War II, serving in the Amphibians, special forces troops trained in the use of S.C.U.B.A. tactics, Marine combat tactics and “special weapons and tactics” never used before. This unit later evolved into what is known today as the Navy S.E.A.L.S. Howard took part in several engagements in the Pacific Theater including the invasion of Okinawa and the last Kamikaze attack on U.S. forces of the war, which took place in Buckner Bay, resulting in heavy losses aboard his ship.

Following his discharge from the Navy, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Odessa Smith, daughter of Reves and Trudy Smith of Hobbtown. They had three sons, Dana Robin, Mark Zane, and Holly Kim; and one daughter, Melody Renee.

Pursuing work in the oilfields led Howard and his family through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Venezuela in South America. Upon returning to the States from Venezuela, Howard began a career in Insurance and Real Estate Development, which ultimately led to the construction of the first shopping mall in Arkansas.

Howard was a businessman, a pilot, a farmer and rancher, a deputy sheriff, and a guitar picker and fiddler. As a young man, he performed on the stage of the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride. As a mature man, he played his fiddle for the Lord at Faith Assembly of God in Fort Smith and for Pow Wow’s, Rendezvous and Training Camps of the Royal Rangers around the world. His ministry trips led him to many states in the U.S., Mexico, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Spain, and Australia.

He supported the founding of Continental Bible College in Brussels, Belgium, The World Pentecostal Conference, Central Bible College in Springfield, MO, the nation of Israel and Dr. David Allen Lewis Ministries, many missionaries, evangelists and other ministry works around the world.

He was a valuable founding member and Elder of Cornerstone Bible Center in Cedarville, until moving to Chetopa, Kansas to be closer to family.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mary Catherine (Gillum) Gentry; three brothers, Earl, Marion, and Roscoe; a sister, Agnes; two sons, Dana Robin and Holly Kim; and two daughters-in-law, Cynthia Alice and Melody Faye.

He is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Odessa Gentry of the home, and by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren by family as follows; his son, Mark Gentry and wife Kim from Chetopa, KS and their children, Carrie and husband Randy Beyer and their son, Zane of Galena, KS; Zane and wife Jenny and their sons, Garrison and Jeremiah of Tulsa, OK; Craig Livingston and wife Christina and their daughters, Jessica and K’Li from Riverton, KS; Ryan and wife Shelly and their sons, Landon and Greyson of Riverton, KS; and Tyler and wife Kylie and their children, Jackson and Evelyn of Riverton, KS.

His son, Holly Kim (deceased) and widow Deborah of Van-Alma; their children, Jeremy and wife Christy and their daughter, Holly Rochelle of Tulsa; and Robyn and husband Donnie Hubbard and their daughter, Allison and son, Luke of Springdale.

His daughter, Melody Renee and husband Jeffery Stanley of Fair Grove, MO and their children, Moriah and husband Aaron Hilburn of Fair Grove, MO and their son, James and daughter, Nora; Reagan and husband Juan Vidal of Atlanta, GA and their children Elijah, Jonas, Elianna and Lucas; and Gentry of Springfield, who bears his grandfather’s surname as his Christian name.

Altogether, four children, 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a host of other family members and friends.

Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Morrison Cemetery in Hobbtown, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Gentry, Zane Gentry, Gentry Stanley, Aaron Hilburn, Donny Hubbard, and Roger Welch.

The family will visit with friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday immediately preceding the service at the pavilion at Morrison Cemetery.