Gerald D. Gentry

Gerald D. Gentry, a 94-year-old resident of Princeton, died on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at the New Hope Baptist Church, north of Princeton, with Pastors Sean Hammond and Robert Nelson officiating. Burial will be in the Princeton Cemetery.
Family visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at 10 a.m. Greenlee Middleton Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Gentry was born on March 5, 1921 in Mill Grove, the son of William Lafayette “Willie” and Amy Mae Fair Gentry. He was raised in Mercer County, where ghe raduate in 1938 from Princeton High School. He also graduated from the Chillicothe Business College in 1942.
He was married on May 10, 1942 to Margaret Helen Puffer. In June 1942 he was inducted into the Army Air Corp at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. He served as a master sergeant in the Pacific Theatre. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. After his discharge, he worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad in St. Louis from 1945 until 1948, when the couple returned to Mercer County and purchased a farm. He farmed with his dad and brother, Danny, and operated a Grade A dairy until selling the farm and retiring in 1984. He also owned and operated Gerald’s Standard Service and was co-owner with his wife of Gentry’s Flower Shop.
He was first a member of the Union Church, then later transferred membership to the Princeton First Baptist Church and then to the New Hope Baptist Church. He was a 61-year Master Mason of Mercer Lodge #35 AF&AM and served as worshipful master, treasurer and chaplain. He was appointed district deputy grand master from 1981-1985. He was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, where he served as worthy patron. He was a 69-year member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the Princeton Country Club and served on their board of directors, and also served on the Axtell Hospital Board of Directors.
He was an avid supporter of local athletics, serving on the chain gang for PHS football, coaching American Legion baseball teams, umpiring baseball and softball games for many years. In 1986 the baseball field in Princeton was named “Gentry Field” in his honor. He enjoyed bowling and spent many hours golfing.
He is survived by three daughters, Fleeta Dennis and her husband, Bill of Platte City, Jolene King of Cameron and Joyce Gentry of Columbia; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his brother, Danny Gentry and his wife, Louella of Princeton; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and long-time friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret on Feb. 6, 1990; his sister, Wilma Brimer; and his nephew, Brad Gentry.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron or to the Mercer County Library. Contributions may be mailed to the funeral home at P.O. Box 316, Princeton, MO 64673.