Charles Gentry

Charles "Chuck" Gentry, 86, passed away Dec. 9, 2011, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Barberton, OH on Nov. 21, 1925. He was preceded in death by his parents, Viola and Matt Gentry; brothers, Harry, Barney, Odell; sisters, Winnie, Vinnie, Hilda. His beloved wife of 52 years, Beatrice, passed away on July 8, 2002 of Alzheimer's. He is survived by daughters, Debbie Flanagan, Gayle Jarvis; grand-daughters, Nikki, Jenny, Rachel and Skye; great-grandchildren Avah and Zach; sisters-in-law; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. When Chuck was 6 years of age his family moved to Cookeville, Tennessee. As a teenager, he was saved in the Nazarene Church and went through the school system in Cookeville. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp and went through Boot Camp and Communications School in San Diego, CA. He joined the 1st Marine Division and served in the South Pacific. He was in the last battle of WW I I, Okinawa, also serving in China several months. He was discharged in 1946 and returned to Akron, OH, where he eventually retired from B. F. Goodrich with 43 years of service. He loved God's great outdoors and loved to "commune with nature" along with his beagles. He was one of the founders and a charter member of the Portage-Summit Field & Stream Club. He was a devoted son, a great brother, a strong Marine, a loving husband, a wonderful father, a doting grandfather and great-grandfather, a magnificent uncle and great-uncle. He was many things to many people in his life and will be missed by those he left behind. But he is now at peace and with the Lord and his loved ones who have gone on before. He is gone from here but will not be forgotten. He wanted to remind those he leaves behind for now, "Please don't weep because it's over, smile because it happened." The family would like to express thanks to Visiting Nurse Services, Hospice VNS and the staff of VNS Hospice Center for the care they provided for Charles. Private services were held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Assoc. for Cancer Research.