Floyd Gentry, 90, Beloit
BELOIT – Floyd Otto Gentry was born on November 17, 1931 in Beloit, Kansas, the second son of Otto Craig Gentry and Hazel Jennings (Huffman) Gentry. Floyd grew up southeast of town on the family farm around Greenmound. He spent his early years caring for animals and lending a hand on the farm alongside his brother Harold. Together they rode their horse to the little one-roomed country school, where, on occasion, they got into mischief and played tricks on the teacher. Floyd was a member of Asherville 4-H as a child and participated in Future Farmers of America (FFA) as a teenager. He graduated from Beloit High School in 1949.
After graduation, Floyd enrolled in classes at Kansas State University, where he studied agriculture and journalism, and Colorado State University, where he pursued wildlife and game management. In 1951, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as a gunner on a B-29. He was stationed in France and spent his non-flying time traveling and playing cards and horseshoes with his fellow airmen.
Upon his discharge in 1954, Floyd returned to Kansas where he married Marjorie Godwin in 1955. Together they welcomed three sons, Robert (Bob), Richard (Rick), and Thomas (Tom). Floyd took a job with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and served there for 30 years (through its transition to AT&T), working his way up from a lineman to communications systems consultant. His job took his family all over the state, from Colby to Prairie Village to Topeka. He took pride in his sons and spent years coaching their baseball and basketball teams and serving as a scoutmaster. He retired from AT&T in 1987 and afterward moved back to
Beloit with Marjorie. A consummate raconteur, Floyd loved sharing tales of his childhood adventures and his time stationed abroad, of his work with the phone company, and of his family. He appreciated a good game of baseball and basketball, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golf. He was an avid reader of westerns and had a nearcomplete collection of Louis L’ amour novels. Floyd enjoyed good music and good company. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the VFW, and the Mitchell County Historical Society.
Floyd will be remembered fondly as a man with a twinkle in his eye, a story up his sleeve, and a slow, honest laugh at the ready. �Floyd is preceded in death by his parents Otto and Hazel, his brother Harold, and granddaughter Samantha.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, Beloit, Kansas, his children, Bob and wife Lesley, Beloit, KS, Rick and wife Kody, Abilene, KS, and Tom and wife Grace, Palm Harbor, Florida. Grandchildren Heather (Omar), Danielle (Cody), Jamie (Mike), Nathan, Paul (Darci), and Claire. Greatgrandchildren Bentley, Eli, Liam, Reed, Rynleigh, Wyatt, and Zoe.
Memorial services will be at 10 AM Monday, December 20 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Cremation has been chosen. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM with family present from 5-7 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Lions Club Baseball or Rotary Club Softball. Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com