Jessie Willard Gentry, 91, of Madill, Okla. passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at the Veterans Hospital in Ardmore. He was born on February 20, 1929 in Kingston, Okla. to the late Thomas Henry Gentry and Rachel Florence Buttrey Gentry. Jessie was raised in the Russett and Mannsville area before joining the
United States Army.
He enlisted on September 5, 1946 serving during WWII with the Army-TRPC7th Calvary Regiment and was discharged on December 23, 1947. During this time, Jessie received the WWII Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal. He later enlisted on June 9, 1949 during the Korean War with the “H” Co. 5th Calvary. His rank was CPL and he received the Purple Heart, Amy Occupation Medal, Japan, the Korean Service Medal W/3 Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal and Combat Infantry Badge.
Jessie married Virginia Lou Colson on November 10, 1951 in Russett, Okla. and she preceded him in death on March 2, 2020. They lived in Fort Worth, Texas for about 20 years before moving to Madill in 1971. He worked as a delivery man for the Madill Lumber Company for several years before retiring.
Jessie was a member of the Crossroads Baptist church and he enjoyed working in his garden, fishing, and coonhunting.
He is survived by his children; Jesse Gentry and wife Celia of Vernon, Texas, Kenneth Gentry and wife Becky of Madill, Okla., Sharon McDowall and husband Roy of Madill, Okla., and Susan Gentis of Madill, Okla., 11 Grandchildren; Robert Gentry, Marylou Case, Amanda McDowall, Kara Stephens, Mignon Gentry, Megan Williams, Gerrod Gentis, Keelan Gentis, and Tanner Gentis, nine great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, his brother Lewis Gentry and wife Madge of Antlers, Okla., his sisters; Betty Moss of Wilson, Okla., Corene Worrell and husband Jesse ofFort Worth, Texas, Colleen Tillery of Iola Kan. Jessie was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three
Jessie was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three grandchildren: Kendall Gentis, Trevor Gentry and Jennifer Ann Gentry and brothers; James, Roy, Troy, Raymond, Elbert and Delbert Gentry.
Visitation was Friday, December 18, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla.
Service were held Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Oklahoma. Interment will be at the Lebanon Cemetery, Madill, Okla. Joe Patterson officiated the service. Services were under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.
Casket Bearers were Tanner Gentis, Robert Gentry, Keelan Gentis, Skyler Gentry, Ashley Brittain and Richard Gentry.
Honorary Bearers were Payton McLaughlin, Colton Wise, Gerrod Gentis and Julian Garza.