DENNIE ELLIS GENTRY

Dennie Ellis Gentry, 86, of Franklin, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 surrounded by his wife, daughters and members of his extended family. He was born February 26, 1931 in Blytheville, Arkansas to the late Hugh and Lucille (Juden) Gentry. He was a great husband, father, and grandfather and loved his family dearly. Dennie was known by all as a kind and funny gentleman. He was of Christian faith and a Mason.
Dennie (Buddy) was a football All-American at Blytheville High School where he received the honors of being named to the Associated Press’ 29th annual All-Southern team. He also played in the annual All-American East-West game in Corpus Christie, Texas. Upon graduation in 1949, he was considered by sports writers and high school coaches as one of the states’ most outstanding pass receivers. He was recruited by numerous top colleges that included Alabama and LSU, but ended up following a friend and teammate to play football for the University of Tulsa under scholarship. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
He enlisted in the United States Army in 1955 and served until 1957. He met his first wife in Long Beach, Calif. during his enlistment. His love for football followed him his entire life, as he passed away watching the game play.
Dennie retired from a career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company after 35+ years of service. After retirement, Dennie and Anna Lee enjoyed traveling full-time in their motor home and he became president of the Arkansas Traveler Motor Home Association. They were also members of the Cruisin’ Cajuns. After Anna Lee’s passing, he met Martha at an RV gathering at the Valley in South Texas.
He was preceded in death by his, parents; his first wife of 49 years, Anna Lee (Firestone) Gentry.
He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Martha (Olivier) Gentry of Franklin, La.; his two daughters, Deneen White and her husband, Larry White of Benton, Arkansas and Tina Hilton Carter and her husband, Larry Carter of Maumelle, Arkansas; his three step sons, Edward Olivier III of Franklin, La., Lorrie Olivier (Carmen) of Houston, Texas and Brant Olivier (Marj) of Atlanta, Georgia; his grandchildren, Mandy (Ben) Thompkins, Brian Baker, Stephen (Christy) Baker, Greg (Kim) White, Grant (Catie) Hilton, and Taylor Leslie; and many great-grandchildren; his two brothers, Bennie Gentry (Shirley) of Blytheville, Arkansas and Donald Gentry (Jane) of Maricopa, Arizona; along with loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at aging.uams.edu
To sign the online guestbook go to www.pinecrestmemorialpark.com