Ernest H. Gentry (Plainview)

Ernest Gentry passed away peacefully Thursday July 11th at Raider Ranch in Lubbock, Texas at the age of 90. He was born September 28, 1922 in Geuda Springs, Kansas and attended schools in Winfield, Kansas until he moved with his mother and siblings to Plainview to complete high school. During his high school years he worked for his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Chet McSwain, as a projectionist at their movie theaters the Fair, Granada and Twin View Theaters. Upon graduation from Plainview High he joined the Army Air Corps during World War II and was later transferred to the Army where his unit built bridges in support of General Patton’s advancing forces in western Germany. He returned to Plainview on leave and on January 4, 1944 married his high school sweetheart, Dottie Lou Winn, who passed away in 1992. As the war ended he was discharged and returned to his wife Dottie and newborn son Mike in Plainview to work in the accounting department of Southwestern Public Service. He later joined his father-in-law as sales manager for Winn Motor Company. In 1964 he and Dottie with daughter Debbie moved to Levelland to take ownership of Gentry Ford-Mercury. Ernest was continually involved, in both Plainview and Levelland, with his church, community, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Toastmasters, Rotary and founded a youth golf program. During his 48 years of marriage to Dottie, and until his death, he was a loving and caring father and an amazing grandfather. Several years after Dottie’s death he resumed playing bridge, dancing and traveling with Patsy Byrd of Kress until his health required he move to Raider Ranch in Lubbock. He is survived by his three children Mike Gentry and wife Barbara of Ruidoso, New Mexico; Rob Gentry and wife Marilyn of Denton, Texas; Debbie Gentry Martin of Lubbock, Texas along with seven grandchildren and twelve great grand children. Services will be in Plainview on Saturday July 13 at 10:00 in the chapel of Kornerstone Funeral Directors with long time family friend Rev. Ted Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Plainview Memorial Park under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to your church or favorite charity in his honor.