Richard W. Gentry (Dick) of Denton passed away on May 7, 2017 at Lake Forest Good Samaritan in Denton.  He was born on October 21, 1924 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Roy Gentry and Lillian Miller. He served in the United States Army Air Corps in WWII, and after the war began a long and successful career in the Plumbing/HVAC industry.  He was the owner of Schmidt Plumbing and Heating in Charles City, Iowa for many years.  Dick was a lifelong member of the Rotary Club, and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow recognition, as a supporter of scholarships for young people.

Dick had two long and happy marriages.  He and his first wife, Mary Alice Jacqua, were married for 41 years until she passed away from an illness in 1991.  They had four children:  Larry Gentry (Judy) of Altoona, Iowa; Jean Sieh (Paul) of Okoboji, IA; Beth Madsen (Greg) of Hopkins, MN; and Peg Fair (George) of Olathe, KS.  They have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  He loved his family and created many adventures for his children over the years, including building a sailboat for them.

Dick married Ardys (Harken Brooks) on July 3, 1993 in Charles City, IA.  They spent their early years together traveling and later settled in Tavares, FL, where Dick was heavily involved in their neighborhood finance and facilities committees.  They enjoyed gardening, golfing, lawn bowling, visiting area parks, several dinner club groups, church activities, and hosting friend and family visits to Florida.  Dick was a prolific birdhouse constructor, and Ardys painted and decorated his creations.  After two devastating hurricanes, they moved to Denton in 2006, and to Lake Forest Good Samaritan in 2015. Dick enjoyed the company of his friends at Good Sam, playing penny poker, trivia and coffee club programs, and occasionally worked in the store.

Dick was also loved by Ardys' family:  Annette & Paul Crooks of Aubrey, TX; Dan Brooks of Lake Mary, FL; Susan Brooks of Caddo Mills, TX; Rebecca Brooks of Cleburne, TX; and Bev Clow of Waverly, IA.  He was "Grandpa Dick" to Danielle Brooks, Carrie Crooks Schwab, and Alison Crooks, and always made sure they knew he loved them by bestowing his favorite nickname on them — "Bug."

A memorial service to celebrate this wonderful man's life is scheduled at Lake Forest Good Samaritan Chapel in Denton, Texas on Saturday, May 13 @ 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick Gentry's name to The Rotary Foundation.