Johnny M. Gentry

Johnny Mayo Gentry, 84, of Middleburg, Florida, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Saturday, October 5, 2013. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at Hardage-Giddens Town and Country Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville., FL 32205, Ray Dukes will be officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park located at 7242 Normandy Blvd. Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Jacksonville, FL. Johnny was born September 6, 1929 in Roopville, GA. He was a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy and worked as a lab technician at the Naval Hospital and Memorial Hospital after his retirement from the Navy. He was a Past Master of Orange Park Lodge #267, a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, Orange Park Chapter #226, a member of the Morocco Shiners, and a member of The American Legion Lakeshore Post 137. He was a star basketball player in high school and an avid fisherman and hunter. Johnny is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marie Collins Gentry, two children, Allan Gentry (Susan) of Orange Park, FL and Donna Wethington (John) of East Palatka, FL; three grandchildren, Paul Gentry, Jason Wethington, and Natalie Wethington; his sister Nadra Valentine of Miami, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Alice Gentry, three sisters, Geneva Fuller, Mae Chambers, and Pearl Vaughn. A special thank you to Community Hospice of Jacksonville, FL for their loving care and support as well as his private caregivers Gloria Williams and August Parker. Also thank you to Hardage-Giddens Town and Country Funeral Home for all of the arrangements.