Thomas Taylor Gentry

THOMAS TAYLOR GENTRY, age 87, of Jefferson City, TN passed away early Saturday morning, March 28, 2009, at UT Hospital in Knoxville, from injuries sustained in a fall at home. He had been owner and publisher of The Standard Banner newspaper in Jefferson City for over 53 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. A native of Cookeville, he held degrees from Tennessee Tech University and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and briefly worked for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture prior to beginning his career in journalism. He had a keen interest in agriculture as well as journalism, spending much of his retirement raising Polled Hereford cattle and growing hay on his farm. He remained an active member of First Baptist Church of Jefferson City until his death, serving as a deacon, and as a member of committees. He was also active in a number of community organizations, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Jefferson County Shrine Club, the Jefferson County Genealogical Society and the Jefferson County Historical Society. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ellin Stedman Gentry of Jefferson City; daughter, Bethann Gowan and husband Dennis of Gallatin; son, Dale Gentry and wife Teresa of New Market; grandchildren, Erin Alexander and husband Rob of Goodlettsville, Sarah Kosak and husband Dustin of Jacksonville, FL, David Gentry, and wife Stacey of Jefferson City, and Ann Gowan of Nashville; Sisters, and their husbands, Charlsie and Ed Crouch of McMinnville; and Sue and Heston Milligan of McMinnville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Beecher and Mary Gentry of Cookeville; brother, Wendell Gentry; and sisters, Reba Thompson, Oneta Gentry and Nell Dyer. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 30, at 8 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, with Dr. Gene Wilder and Rev. Jim Dampier officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday, prior to the service, at the church. Interment will be held Tuesday, March 31, at 11 a.m. at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will gather at Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City at 10:30 a.m. to form the procession. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be to the ?Together We Rebuild? building fund of First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, 1610 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN 37760. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME IN JEFFERSON CITY, TN (865) 475-3892