Jimmy Gentry

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 pm, Saturday, July 30, 2016 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel for Jimmy L. Gentry, who was 76 years young. He was born in Roswell, NM on July 28, 1939 and taken from us on Monday, July 18, 2016. Pastor Troy Grant of Berrendo Baptist Church will officiate.

Jim lived in Dexter until 4 years old, and then the family moved to Oregon where the Gentry family lived for two years. While living in Oregon Jim developed Polio & Diphtheria. He almost lost his life as a little boy of four years old. With the help of a wonderful physician, therapy and the love of his mother and father he fought and eventually overcame the illnesses. At the age of six years old the family moved back to Roswell where Jim spent the majority of the rest of his life.

Jim attended Roswell schools and attended Roswell High School where he loved the game of football. He played football until his Graduation in 1958. While in high school Jim worked at the East Farmers Country Market in Roswell. In 1960 while working at Farmers he met his wife to be, Glenda Crawford. Jim and Glenda married on July 25, 1961. They had only one child, Cindy who was born in May of 1962. Jim and Glenda divorced in 1987. Glenda preceded him in death, January 2011.

Jim worked in many grocery stores in NM and TX in the 1960's and eventually he and Glenda purchased their first grocery store in 1969, Third Street Grocery, Tucumcari, NM. They also purchased and sold several other grocery stores in NM and West Texas. They sold the Third Street Grocery store in 1984 and although the store is no longer around the lasting memory of the Gentry's and the store will forever remain in Tucumcari. While Glenda worked in the store Jim started a vending company supplying many NM businesses with pool tables, video and ping pong games, shuffleboards, and other types of vending equipment. Jim remained in the vending business until the late 1990's.

Jim began a new career in the late 1990's dabbling in the used car business. He eventually founded several successful used car lots. He found he had a natural talent for buying and selling cars. Jim was relied on by many for his business savvy and was respected throughout the industry. After selling out of the retail car business he began wholesaling used vehicles and heavy equipment. Jim continued to be a successful business man until the day of his death.

Jim's greatest asset was his giving nature. It didn't matter who you were, where you were from, rich or poor, Jim would help anyone in need. He would have given the shirt off his back to help anyone.

Although Jim lived in Tucumcari for 15 years he always kept a home in Roswell. He was a hard working man who always took his work and the work of others seriously. Jim never left things unfinished and he expected this of others as well. He had his own way of doing business; it worked for him and the many others whom he helped in business throughout his life.

Jim was a member of the Elks Lodge for over 40 years and a member of the Roswell Eagles for many years. Jim enjoyed giving; he enjoyed helping out the 4-H & FFA kids every year during fair time buying their prized livestock. He could never say no to a donation especially when the request was from a child. He was acknowledged with many awards during his business life from Affiliated Foods and the NM Vendors Association. He was the largest independent Vendor in the state of NM in the late 1970's.

Jim's life was taken too soon. He had his daughter Cindy and her husband Rick and two grandchildren Miles and Jessica. Jim's greatest treasures were his two grandchildren, and how proud he was of his daughter, Cindy. He always found a special way to show his love and generosity.

Jim had many friends and special people in his life who loved him dearly.
His death has made us all so very sad, his life was cut short and we will all miss his fast talk and quick wit.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Henry Clayton Gentry, his mother, Ida Frances (Holland) Gentry, a brother, Henry Clayton Gentry Jr. and brother-in-law Marlin George.

Surviving Jim is his daughter Cindy Lewis and husband Richard H Spragins; grandchildren: Miles Lewis and Jessica Lewis; sisters: Matti Lou Telles and husband Charles, Sally George, Pam Gilder, and Paula Carter and husband Jim. Four nieces and seven nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in Jims name to the Community Kitchen, PO Box 3010, Roswell, NM 88202 or Roswell Humane Society 703 E. McGaffey, Roswell, NM 88203.

When Storms rage, know that God is in control.
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the waves,
and it was completely calm. Matthew 8:26

Service

Memorial Service

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 S. Main Street
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, July 30, 2016
2:00 pm

Cemetery

Ballard Crematory
910 S. Main Street
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

Community Kitchen
P.O. Box 30101
Roswell, NM  88202

Roswell Humane Society
703 E. McGaffy St.
Roswell, NM  88201