He was born June 4, 1952, to Bill and Annie Gentry in Corpus Christi, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, before moving to Lake Charles as a young chemical engineer with a new job at Citgo.
Loren would go on to work at the plant for more than 25 years, growing his family to four children and making his home in Carlyss during that time. He also earned a master’s in chemical engineering from McNeese State University.
After retiring from Citgo, Loren shared his engineering experience as a teacher of plant technology at a few Calcasieu Parish high schools in the early 2000s. In recent years he tried to stay active by working at Brookshire’s grocery store and working with his sons.
Outside of work, he attended Emanuel Baptist Church of Vinton and enjoyed water sports, hunting, fishing and coaching his children’s recreational sports teams. Loren often would run into a former football, baseball or basketball player in the community, and he was quick to accept a handshake or hear an old story.
His favorite activity, though, always was spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Loren is survived by his four children and their spouses: Chris and Blair Gentry, Bill and Jackie Gentry, Leigh and Eric Guidry, and Wes and Elizabeth Gentry; their mother, Raenell Gentry; his nine grandchildren: Zane, Julie, Kale, Jenna, Jace, Avery, Henley, Marie and Mary Cate; his girlfriend of 10 years, Pama Lebleu; his brothers and their wives: Jerome and Debbie Gentry and Ronnie and Martha Gentry; and his nieces and nephews.
His life will be remembered at a ceremony Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. The Rev. Gerard Little will officiate. Visitation will take place at the funeral home Tuesday, April 26, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. and will resume on Wednesday from noon until the time of service. Words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com for the Gentry family.
