Al served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, 1941-1946, attaining the rank of Chief Radioman, and was a veteran of the North Pacific Aleutian Campaign. He served in the Bering Sea for two years, and was awarded the American Defense Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and WWII Victory Medal.
Al attended Blessed Sacrament Academy in West End and West End High School. After having served for five years in the U.S. Navy, he continued his education at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University), graduating with the Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Al retired from Southern Bell (BellSouth) as operations manager, after 35 years of service in engineering and regulatory in Atlanta, GA. He also spent two years in New York working for AT&T, and continued in consulting work for a number of years.
Al was an active member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Hoover, a Life Member of Auburn Alumni Association, a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans, and a former Boy Scouts leader. With his wife Emma, he traveled throughout the USA and worldwide, sometimes escorting groups. He was an avid gardener.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, Edwige Louise Fernandez Gentle and Edgar Cuthbert Gentle, Sr.; and one brother, Jack E. Gentle, Sr. Survivors include Al's wife of 62 years, the former Emma Quattlebaum; three daughters, E. Renee Gentle Powers (Tom) of Clanton, AL, Anita Gentle Newcomb of Columbia, MD, and Nancy Gentle Boudrie of Exton, PA; one son, Alfred F. Gentle, Jr. (Karen) of Columbia, MD; seven grandchildren, Samuel Powers (Alicia) of Greenville, SC and Russell Powers (Melissa) of Clanton, AL, Rachel Newcomb of Atlanta, GA, Emma and Reid Boudrie of Exton, PA, and Rebecca and Michelle Gentle of Columbia, MD; and two great-grandchildren, Cole Powers and Logan Powers. Al is also survived by one sister, Edwige M. Gentle of Denham Springs, LA, and one brother, Edgar C. Gentle, Jr. (Jeanne) of Nashville, TN.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 25, 2013, from 9-11 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 2061 Patton Chapel Road, Birmingham, AL 35216. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the church at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25. Interment at Southern Heritage Cemetery, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124 will immediately follow. Arrangements handled by Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, AL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Please indicate that each gift is in honor of Alfred F. Gentle, 3539 Polo Parc Court, Hoover, AL 35226. Or, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
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