Gib Jentz

Gib is survived by his wife, Kathryn; son, Larry and his wife, Rose; daughter Karyn and her husband, Toby Masters; son Kenyon and his wife Alisha; son Chase and his wife Heather. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Jordan Jentz, 24, Mallary Jentz 17, Annalise Jentz, 14, Emma Jentz, 4, Olivia Jentz, 3, and Michael Jentz 1 year. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marian and Gilbert Jentz Sr.

Gib was born on December 27th, 1933 in Appleton, WI and was the only child of Marian and Gilbert Jentz Sr. In his early years, he attended prep school at St. John’s Military Academy in Ossining, NY while his father served overseas during WWII. In 1951, he graduated from Arlington Heights High School in Ft. Worth, TX. Gib then attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1956 with a degree in Radio/Television. In April of the same year, he married his college sweetheart, Kathryn Sue Kenyon, also of Fort Worth.

During his college years, Gib acted with both Margo Jones Theater of ‘54 in Dallas and the Austin Civic Theater; he also managed Radio House on UT’s campus. The year following his graduation, the university produced one of his original television plays and it won a Radio/TV Guild Award. Gib began his professional career in commercial television as a director for KCBD-TV in Lubbock and KPAC-TV in Port Arthur. He won several National Association of Broadcasters awards for his directing during his ten year commercial stint. During the Vietnam War, he went to work for the government, establishing the educational television department at Fort Polk, LA. He held the position of division chief for several years. From there he served at Fort Knox in Louisville, KY until 1974. Gib was then hired to help design and establish the television division at the new Judge Advocate General’s School at the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, VA. His time at the JAG School was his favorite job, but in 1980 he decided to move his family back to Texas. When he interviewed for his job at Fort Sam Houston, Gib was asked his favorite hobby. He passed over golf, acting, and many other interests to simply answer, “My children.” After working with the government for 30 years, Gib retired in 1998.

In addition to being a hardworking man, Gib was the provider for a large and eclectic family. All four Jentz children were musicians from an early age into adulthood. Throughout the years, Gib and Kathryn supported their children’s music by buying them instruments, lessons, amplifiers and recording equipment. They chaperoned live shows due to the children being too young to be in the venues by themselves. Gib, always devoted, attended and videoed every performance. The Jentzes even added a large room to the side of their house for the bands to rehearse and record. This space, known as “the studio,” has served as the informal headquarters for the San Antonio rock and roll scene for more than three decades. Gib and Kathryn Jentz opened their home to family and friends alike to give generations of musicians a safe place to cultivate their talents and pursue their passion. Gib generously took the initiative to assist both his family and those close to the family whenever he felt he could make a positive difference. We celebrate Gib’s life by remembering his generosity and the positive impact he left on many peoples’ lives.