NORMAN — Robert “Bobby” A. Gentry, 82, of Tecumseh, passed away Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at his home.
Service will be 10 a.m. Friday at Tecumseh First Assembly of God with Rev. Chad Brodrick officiating and Pastor Matt Rodgers assisting. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery.
He was born Jan. 17, 1929, to William A. and Pearl Rachel (Barbee) Gentry in the Okay Community of Pottawatomie County. Bobby was the fifth of six children.
He was raised in the Okay Community and attended Okay schools. Bobby graduated from Macomb High School.
Bobby married May Era Essary on June 11, 1948, at the Gentry family home in Pottawatomie County. They made their home in Tecumseh, where he worked at the OK Packing Plant. In 1951, Bobby began working as a cable splicer for Southwestern Bell, traveling around the state of Oklahoma to various locations. In 1960, they were able to locate to Norman, where he worked for Southwestern Bell and AT& T as a switchman in Oklahoma City. Bobby retired after 35 years of service and, in 1994, they moved to Tecumseh.
He was a member of the Norman New Hope Assembly of God while in Norman and also Tecumseh First Assembly of God. Bobby was very actively involved in the church. Bobby loved teaching Bible classes, being a Sunday School superintendent, a deacon and leading songs for church services. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. Bobby enjoyed his work as an assistant Scout master for the Boy Scouts. He especially enjoyed seeing his grandsons join the Boy Scouts of America and all achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; son, Paul William Gentry; two sisters, Willie Stephens and Jane West; and brother, Ross Gentry.
He is survived by his wife, May Era Gentry of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Marvella and Charlie James Sr. of Newton, Kan.; four grandchildren, Charlie Jr. and wife Becky Lynn James of Pinckney, Mich., Becky James of Nebraska City, Neb., Tim James of Olathe, Kan., and Ron and wife Alisa James of Manhattan, Kan.; one great-grandson, Logan James of Manhattan, Kan.; brother, Johnny Gentry of Tecumseh; sister, Ellen Thompson of Elk City; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
The family has designated Tecumseh First Assembly of God Foreign Mission Department as appropriate for memorials in lieu of flowers.
Visitation will begin 9 a.m. Thursday and continue through the time of service. The family will gather to meet with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Cooper Funeral Home.
To share memories or to sign the guest book online, go to www.cooper-funeral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home in Tecumseh.
Norman Transcript, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012
