Ronnie Lee Gentry, Sr.

Ronnie Lee Gentry, Sr., age 75, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023, in Mount Vernon, Texas.

Ronnie was born in Mount Pleasant, Texas on May 6, 1948, to Johnnie and Mildred (Easley) Gentry. He was number 8 of 17 children. His daddy was a famous bootlegger in the area and the Dallas Morning News even wrote an article about the family. He grew up farming vegetables and livestock and became fascinated with anything with moving parts. He taught himself to fix anything and everything. At 16 he moved to Dallas and lived with his sister Dorothy and her husband. He worked at Kissinger’s Auto Supply for 18 years and went on to work at Napa, ABC Auto, and O’Reilly’s. Garages would call him, explain the problem, and he could diagnose what was wrong with the vehicle. He was able to cross reference part numbers faster than the computer. He especially loved working on old cars and trucks. He could rebuild an engine, large or small, with his eyes closed, and make anything showcase ready. He treasured the times he was able to do that with his brothers. He loved the thrill, smell, and sound of drag racing his 73’ Vega.

He recreated beautiful auto and boat upholstery and always had people waiting for his flawless creations. He worked magic by sandblasting glass and mirror. Someone could tell him their vision and he could make it reality. He made all of his own frames for his works of art and could make anything out of wood. His brain was always hungry to learn new things. His children and grandchildren were his world. He enjoyed spending time with them and passing on any knowledge that could improve their lives. He loved babies, especially his great grandson, Brewer. Ronnie had a quirky “dad jokes” sense of humor that sometimes only he got. He laughed often, occasionally out of the blue at something funny that he remembered. He had a contagious laugh that will be greatly missed. Ronnie said his “church” was being outside, which was his favorite place to be. People used to slow down going by to admire his beautiful yard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Mildred Gentry; siblings, Melanie Smith, Libby Godwin, Mike Gentry, Gay Cunningham, Roger Gentry, Bill Gentry, Tim Gentry and Johnny Gentry.

Survivors include his children and their spouses; daughter, Angela O’Neal (Keith); son, Ronnie Gentry, Jr.; daughter, Lindsey Gentry; grandchildren, Hannah Harmon (Dustin), Alyssa Gentry, Sarah Mahaffey (Erich); great grandson, Brewer Harmon; siblings, Nelda Jean Johnson, Jeanette Graham (Jake), Dorothy Chandler, Cynthia Agan, Beverly Carpenter, Daryl Gentry (Pat), Jackie Gentry (Kathy) and Kim Proctor.

Services entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home.