Oliver Henderson Gentry, 86 years, 9 months, and 13 days old, passed to heaven on July 10, 2011 with his family by his side at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Mo.
Henderson was born Sept. 27, 1924 in Ava, Mo., to Charley and Eva Leota (Sivils) Gentry.
Henderson was a lifelong resident of the Ava community. He was a World War II Veteran with the U.S. Navy.
On Nov. 29, 1947 Henderson and Allie Miller were united in marriage in Columbus, Kan., and to this union two wonderful daughters were born.
Henderson retired as a staking engineer from White River Electric Cooperative with 44 years of service. At one time, Henderson covered five counties — Douglas, Ozark, Stone, Taney and Christian. He was a Christian and attended the Ava General Baptist Church.
Henderson enjoyed playing golf, bowling, working in his yard, visiting with his McDonalds buddies, woodworking and cracking walnuts for everyone to share. Most of all Henderson adored and loved his family as they did him. His joy was his grandchildren.
Henderson was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Glenn Toler; five brothers, Raymond, Ralph, Melvin, Kenneth and Lawrence Gentry; five sisters, Ola, Beulah, Nancy, Altha and Otha.
Henderson is survived by his wife, Allie Gentry, Ava, Mo.; two daughters, Brenda Toler, Springfield, Mo., and Janet Sallee and husband, Beaver, Ava, Mo.; two grandchildren, Holly and Daren Hall, Springfield, Mo., and April and Shane Suter, Ava, Mo.; three great-grandchildren, Blake, Skylar, and Corbin; five step-grandchildren and their families; two sisters, Juanita Stafford, St. Joseph, Mo., and Jean Ridge, Sandy, Utah; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Henderson will be Thursday, July 14, at 10 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with burial in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn.
Memorials may be made to Gideons International or Ava General Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.
