Col. Jack C. Gentry, US Air Force, retired

Jack C. Gentry, age 79 , of O'Fallon, Ill., born June 22, 1931 in Manhattan, Kans., died February 7, 2011, Belleville, Ill.

Jack entered the Air Force in September 1954 after graduation from Washburn University in Topeka, Kans. He earned graduate degrees from George Washington University and Auburn University. Jack served primarily as a Education Officer in Iceland, Vietnam, Germany, the Air Force Academy and the Pentagon among other locations. Among his decorations were the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. Following his retirement from active duty in 1982, he taught Junior AFROTC in Westminster, Colo. from 1984 – 1989.

After retirement from teaching, Jack and his wife built their dream home in Monument, Colo. overlooking the Rampart Range. In 1985, he was baptized and confirmed in to the Catholic faith and was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Monument. Jack was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the Washburn University Alumni Association, and Alpha Delta fraternity.

Jack loved to fish. He was an avid sports fan. He took great pride in his home and yard. In 2007, he and his wife relocated to O'Fallon, Ill. to be closer to family. He was a member of St. Nicholas parish in O'Fallon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Dee (nee Dodson) Gentry; his brothers Don and Frank Gentry, of Topeka, Kans.; and his grandson Joseph Gentry Richardson.

Col. Gentry is survived by his wife, Miriam (nee Youngkamp) Gentry of O'Fallon whom he married Sept. 3, 1955 in Topeka; children Marcia (Tom) Richardson of New Braunfels, Tex.; Gail (John) Daniels of Lawrence, Kans.; and Daniel (Leigh Anne) Gentry of O'Fallon, Ill.. Also surviving are grandchildren Andrew and Emily Richardson, Grace and Eleanor Daniels, And Laura and Jack Gentry, as well as two great-grandchildren.

Memorials be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, PO Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21203-7279, or to the Lupus Foundation of America, PO Box 631047, Baltimore, MD 21263-1047.

Visitation: Friends may call 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 10, 2011 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m., Friday, February 11, 2011 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon. Interment with full military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.