Vernon O Gentry

March 8, 1938 - September 17, 2021

With sadness and broken hearts, we share the passing of Vernon Orville Gentry, known by family and friends as Vern or dad. Vern passed away peacefully of Heart Failure at home with Trish and his son Mark by his side, on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 83 years of age. Born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, attending schools in Southern Oregon, (including Merrill High School) and Northern California. As a young man, Vern spent time hunting, trapping, and fishing; killing two bears at the age of 14 with his uncles. Later in life, he took all three of his sons and some neighborhood kids on fishing trips to the Merced River and surrounding lakes. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy with his mother's permission. Spending three years as a Morse Code/Radioman in the United States Navy, training at San Diego, California. Then being stationed at Ford Island, Oahu, Hawaii, a real cushy assignment as part of an Admiral’s staff. After leaving the Navy, he met and married Elayne P. Kelly and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Elayne and Vern have three sons; Vernon Dean, Mark and Paul. Elayne accompanied Vern to Germany and around the United States with sons in tow. While in the United States Air Force for the next 19 years, spending 11 years overseas in Germany, Philippines, South Korea, Hawaii, in service to his country, including Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam where he received the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action at Khe Sahn. He was recommended by the Marine Commander for the Silver Star. Vern didn’t speak often of his military experiences, but shared some with his close friend, Duane.

Dad’s Citation to accompany the award of The Silver Star reads:

“Staff Sergeant Vernon O. Gentry distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with the military operations against an opposing armed force as First Mobile Communications Group Navigational Aid Team Chief at the Khe Sahn Air Base, Republic of Vietnam on 21 February 1968. Sergeant Gentry, completely disregarding his own safety, and while other personnel were relatively secure in their bunkers, knowingly and purposely exposed himself to hostile fire consisting of mortar, rocket, artillery and small arms fire in order to keep vital navigational aids at Khe Sahn operational. His selflessness and personal courage in maintaining these navigational aids were prime factors in the success of the defense, close air support and resupply operations of this beleaguered base. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Gentry has reflected great credit upon himself in the United States Air Force.”

Returning stateside to San Bernardino, then to Atwater, California, with his specialized knowledge of navigational aid equipment deployed to A.F. Bases around the country. Eventually being sent to South Korea, then Hawaii where he was medically retired, as Vern would say 22 ½ years military service. Vern and Trish married in 1981 living in Hawaii for 20 years; enjoying the sun, beach walking, swimming, sailing, diving, and his passion of seashell hunting all over the Hawaiian Islands. They made many lifelong friends, enjoying Chinese New Year in Honolulu’s Chinatown and celebrating New Year's eating Tempura and Japanese food. Vern always remembered family and friends sending annual Christmas cards with a recap of the years’ travel and activities. Vern told great life stories; family and friends considered him a Memory Maker! Vern spent days at the beach while Trish worked as an accountant in local banks and would always be there each day to pick her up and they would just enjoy the Hawaiian life!

In 1997, Vern and Trish returned to California settling in Citrus Heights. They did many excursions across the United States, in their ever-reliable Toyota 4Runner (292,000 miles) and leaving their home in their capable neighbor’s hands. Going to Las Vegas many times, via Death Valley, one of Vern’s favorite national parks. Visiting Trish’s family, (usually dressed in his Cowboy boots and Levis) on the East Coast, from Massachusetts to Florida. Touring many National Parks, including a favorite, Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons, always with a stop to visit his sister Sharon “Lee” and (Lee), and The Eagle Idaho Family, trading barbs with Susie, Debbie and Terry. On one occasion Lee and Lee, visited Vern and Trish going to San Francisco via a ferry ride from Vallejo, taking in the sights of the City by the Bay. On their trips to the Pacific Northwest coast, they would stop in Gresham, Oregon to visit his “little sister” Linda, (Kent), and cousin Jim Bates. In 2008 Vern and Trish went to Positano, Italy for a Family Wedding, some of the highpoints were spending a week taking in the sights of The Amalfi Coast, Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, and The Island of Capri. Another memorable trip was to see the 9/11 Memorial in New York city. Needless to say, they enjoyed road trips and traveling.

With Vern being retired and Trish working, he took care of the townhouse; cooking wonderful meals, cleaning, house maintenance, and driving Trish to work every day and making many of her co-workers envious and always asking if he could be cloned. Upon Trish's retirement in 2014, they really started traveling around the West Coast, California and Central Valley to visit his son Dean and wife Evelyne. Going to Texas to visit his sons Mark, Paul and daughter-in-law Victoria, where Trish got them lost a few times on the very confusing Texas interstate and roads. Vern cherished Holiday festivities and get-togethers because it meant being with chosen family and friends celebrating life! One of Vern's fond memories was the 141st Kentucky Derby party, thrown by longtime and very dear friends, Vicki (Blondie) and Marc and their family (Matthew, Amanda, Kelly) and getting his ‘official derby’ ballcap which he wore daily when out and about. Vern enjoyed dining-out especially eating lobsters and Tripoli's pizza and Holiday meals at local places with friends. One of his last restaurant outings was with their cherished friend Glenda where he relished his steak dinner. He was a very generous tipper; because he was raised by a single mother who was a waitress, and understood what a tip meant to folks.

Vern treasured conversations and storytelling with his sons, grandkids, nieces, nephews and friends imparting life lessons to the young. He liked cooking, sharing recipes, and showing folks how to make divinity candy. Vern only made divinity candy at Christmas time, and handed it out to family, friends and neighbors, often receiving requests for refills. Vern and Trish enjoyed early morning walks together with their good friends around the circle. With Vern’s positive can-do attitude and creative way of fixing or repairing things made it easy for him to assist and help any and all. Trish and Vern were golf fans especially watching Tiger play. Vern followed the 49ers of years past and wondered if they would ever regain glory. As a life-long Dodgers fan enjoyed many a ball game. Once on an east coast trip in 2017 he got a foul ball from Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Park sitting in the first base box seats with some of The New England family; Cathy, Mike, Joanne, Daryl and Brenda.

Vern’s last few months challenged this military man and with his son Mark moving from Texas to help Trish and Caregivers/Angels: Celestia Hernandez and Darlene Oliver got through each day with patience and laughter. Vern’s sons, grandchildren and other family members would send videos often to stay in touch and say how much they loved him. First Call Hospice honored Vern in his final days with a much-deserved tribute to his military service, draping him with an Honor Quilt, led by Chaplain Amy and Rachele with Trish; his son, Mark; granddaughter, Alanah; friends and neighbors looking on. Vern was a proud, private man with a kind and loving heart, a generous nature, and this honor really overwhelmed him. His RN/Angel Magdalene (which he would joke with), nurses Sunny, Placido, Courtney, Aide Arishma along with the entire hospice team, (just too many to list) assisted in his final months. Trish and Mark are forever grateful for their help and support. With special thanks to the many neighborhood friends providing emotional comfort to Trish and Mark. Vern left an impression on people's life and is one of the Good Ones and will truly be missed by all.

Preceded in death by his mother: Lydia Ellen Gay Gentry, sister: Sharon Lee Kaylor, sister: Linda Carter, and his oldest son: Vernon Dean Gentry.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Trish Gentry and two sons: Mark Gentry of Garland, TX and Paul (Victoria) Gentry of Dallas, TX; Daughter-in-law: Evelyne Gentry of Atwater, CA;

Brothers-in-law: G. Lee Kaylor (Belva) and Daryl Laurenza (Brenda). Sister-in-law: Cathy (Mike) Archambault.

Grandchildren: Jennifer (Brandon), Brandon (Jacqueline), Maryann, Alanah (Marcus), Connor, Ezra, Adrian. Great grandchildren: Dylan, Aleyna.

Nieces and nephews: Patty (George), Terry (Debbie), Ian (Jen), Ronnie, Jason, Brandon (Theresa), Jade (Tom), Nicole (Chris), Sean, Arianna, DJ, Jack.

He also leaves many loving cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews and countless dear friends worldwide.

There will be no local service, per Vern’s request. He will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia with Military Funeral Honors at a later date.

Details being handled by Reichert’s Funeral & Cremation Services, 7320 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA 95610.