On December 16, 1927, John Ruben Gentry, Sr. was born to Leonard and Ellen Gentry in Red Bird, Oklahoma. He attended elementary school in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He only matriculate to the 8 ^th grade because he had to work to support his family. At the age of 19 he was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War. After he returned from the War, John attended Macedonia Baptist Church. He was baptized at an early age by Rev. S. Roquemore. He remained a faithful member of the church until he reached adult age, and he went on to be a deacon and the superintendent of the Sunday School.

After the War, he engaged in job training and became a shoe repairman. He worked at that job for many years, after which he entered into the grocery business and served as a dairy manager in several local grocery stores in Okmulgee.

He modeled kindness and loving concern for everyone with whom he came in contact. John was looked up to by his peers and was considered a role model for the young adults in Okmulgee.

He met Ora Mae Miller when they were both teenagers. They fell in love and got married. He and Ora Mae had five children and were married for 74 years.

Preceding him in death were his parents, five siblings, his son-in-law, Donald Butler and his grandson, Corey Butler.

Those remaining to cherish the loving memory of John are; his loving wife, Ora Mae Gentry; his children: John "Smokey" Gentry, Jr., DeLois Butler, Sandra Maxwell (Johnny), Janice Bishop (Mike), and Brian Gentry (Angie); seven grandchildren: Tracy Gentry, John Gentry III, Trevor Gentry, Amber Maxwell, Alison Maxwell, Kristen Bishop, Chelsea Bishop and Peyton Gentry; five great-grandchildren: Jai Maxwell, Isiah Gentry, Bryce Butler, McKenzie Butler and Kynadi Butler, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins family and friends.

A Home Going Celebration will be conducted, Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 1:00 P.M., in First Baptist Church Central, 521 N. Central St., Okmulgee, OK with Pastor Preston W. Jackson Sr. eulogizing.

Visitation, Friday, 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Okmulgee.