Leslie Jackson Gentry

Leslie Jackson Gentry November 8, 1919 – March 22, 2007 Col. ret. Leslie Jackson Gentry, 87, longtime resident of Abilene, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 22, 2007. Graveside services will be at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 South Fifth Street, Waco, Texas 76706 at 10:30am, Monday, March 26 with memorial services following at the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, 6101 Bosque Blvd. in Waco at 11:30am. The services will be conducted by Dr. Philip Christopher, family friend and pastor of First Baptist Church, Abilene. He will be assisted by Dr. Gerald E. Marsh, brother-in-law of the deceased. Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8pm Sunday, March 25 at the funeral home. Les “ Buster “ Gentry was born on November 8, 1919 and raised in Henrietta, Texas, the eldest son of Florence Leora Haralson Gentry and Leslie Jackson Gentry. The third of four children, he was president of his senior class at Henrietta High School and co-captain of the football team. He graduated from Texas A & M in 1941 majoring in Animal Husbandry. In World War II he was in the Army Air Corps flying B-17s and B-24s, while assigned to the 8th Air Force in England and the 15th Air Force in Italy. After World War II he returned to Texas to resume civilian life, marrying Toy Louise Marsh in Waco at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in 1944. He served as foreman on the expansive Bryant Edwards ranch in north Texas and later went into the insurance business with Southwestern Life. He was recalled to active duty at the start of the Korean War. Along the way Les and Louise had two sons, Gary and Marsh and a daughter, Gayla. During their military career they were stationed at various locations including a teaching assignment at San Francisco State University, and at bases in Waco, Mt. Home, Idaho, West Palm Beach, Laredo, Montgomery, Fairbanks, Guam, Philippines, Shreveport, and Abilene. In 1968 he began two tours of duty in Vietnam. During his long, distinguished military career, he was decorated with numerous medals including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, 9 Air Medals, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and was cited for gallantry in action, and heroic and meritorious achievements. Through the many moves the Gentry family developed a love of travel, nature and adventure. As an avid outdoorsman he introduced his family to the beauty of God’s wilderness through camping, fishing, and hunting. Les and Louise continued this passion for adventure through their many travels abroad with friends. Upon retirement from the Air Force, the Gentrys settled back in Abilene, where they lived until 2001 when they relocated to San Antonio to be closer to their family. Les and Louise served their Lord in every community in which they lived. While Les loved his country and was proud of his years of military service, the true focal point of his life was faith in God and love of family. Les Gentry ministered as a layman through church and volunteerism where he found his true joy through service to others. He and Louise were founding members of the First Southern Baptist Church of San Francisco and the first Southern Baptist Church in the state of Idaho. Whether he was delivering food for the foodbank, working in the concession stand at McMurry University football games, serving up sausage and beans at the Lion’s Club fundraiser, staying up all night with the high school seniors at Project Graduation, distributing Gideon’s Bibles or just sitting in prayer with a friend at his FBC Men’s prayer breakfast, Les lived to give to others. Les is survived by three children, Gary Gentry and wife Melondie Stegall Gentry of Austin, Texas and their two daughters, Lauren Gentry Paulsen and Meredith Gentry; Marsh Gentry and wife Sally O’Gwin Gentry of San Antonio, Texas and their sons, Jordan Gentry and Zachary Gentry; Gayla Gentry Day and husband Phillip Day of Greenville, South Carolina and their children, Devon Day Sharp, Spencer Day, Shelby Day, and Jeffrey Day. His dear sister Maudell Baker of Gainesville, Texas is his remaining sibling, in addition to many beloved nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are his grandsons. Memorials may be made to Gideons International. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.