Ray was born March 13, 1936 to Oscar and Ola Gentry, and passed away on August 7, 2024.
He was married to Alene Tackett on June 7, 1956.
They had five children and nine grandsons and twenty-two great grandchildren.
He is survived by wife, Alene Gentry; four daughters, Lola Bridges and husband Dale, Linda Shipley and husband Randy, Lori Denton and husband Scott, and Kim Cotter and husband Kelly; two brother-in-laws, Doug Tackett and wife Leslie and Johnny Tackett, and two sister-in-laws, Marie Dober and Shirley Jean Durden, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Tony Ray Gentry; his parents; four brothers and two sisters, and several brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws.
He was a faithful member of the Elijah Church of Christ.
Graveside services will be held Monday, August 12, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elijah Cemetery, Ozark County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
August 9, 2024 @ 5:10 pm
Uncle Ray will be missed. We are truly heartbroken. our thought, prayers and hugs are with the Family. We love you. Eddie, Sheila and the rest of the Harris Family.
August 9, 2024 @ 10:30 pm
Linda & Randy, we are so sorry for the loss of your dad. Hold his memories close. Our love and prayers are with you.
August 10, 2024 @ 7:24 am
Linda, sorry for your loss.
August 10, 2024 @ 2:53 pm
The best Uncle Ray. I’m so far away but my heart is there with y’all. Sending my love and condolences.
August 10, 2024 @ 3:16 pm
We are very sorry to hear about Ray! Prayers for the whole family!!
August 10, 2024 @ 3:23 pm
I served for six years as a superintendent at Bakersfield R-4, Lola was our bookkeeper, It wasn’t. Long before I met her father, Ray. He attended most of the basketball games while I was there. He always had a smile on his face and always made the effort to walk over and talk to me. Ray and his girls had a tradition of Christmas shopping a few weeks before the holiday, l looked forwand each year to hearing Lola and Laurie talk about their adventure.
August 26, 2024 @ 7:44 am
Worked with Ray many years at Buck Rees sawmill at South Fork, miss you Ray
August 10, 2024 @ 3:54 pm
So very sorry for your loss My thoughts and prayers for all the family
August 10, 2024 @ 9:35 pm
Ray Gentry, known him since I was a very little girl. He worked at Luna Sawmill for my Gpa Luna and truly one of the best, just like a second Gpa! He always told me that I was like his grand-daughter he never had because his grandkids were all boys! lol
Ray, you will forever be missed. Please tell my Gpa hi for me! Love you ????
August 10, 2024 @ 9:45 pm
We will miss you Uncle Ray, hugs and kisses to all the family. Prayers to everyone.
August 10, 2024 @ 10:11 pm
Prayer a for all the family.
August 11, 2024 @ 9:24 am
Ray was such a great guy. He surely will be missed. All my love and condolences to all of you.
August 11, 2024 @ 11:59 am
So sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. He was such a good friend to my husband Jerry. We both enjoyed his visits. Praying for your family.
August 11, 2024 @ 12:45 pm
So sorry for your loss Lola. It’s hard to loose a Daddy.
August 11, 2024 @ 3:18 pm
It was my pleasure to know Mr. Gentry during my years as Superintendent at the school. My wife and I got to know his daughters and grandchildren and he leaves a respected legacy through each of them. We grieve with his wife and family over his loss. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to each of them.
Jerry and Margrett Taylor
August 11, 2024 @ 7:59 pm
Alene and girls Steve and I are so sorry for your loss. He was one of the good ones and will be missed by all who knew him. Sending love and prayers to all his family .
August 11, 2024 @ 10:21 pm
Sorry to hear hear about friend Ray Gentry passing. Coon hunting friend of long ago. Prayers for Him and the rest of the family.