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Leland Gentry Obituary
Leland Homer Gentry
8/30/1932 ~ 8/6/2007
Today, August 6, 2007, I was released from a 35-year battle with Multiple
Sclerosis to a heavenly sphere where I can now move about freely and join many
loved ones who have gone on before me.
I was born in Charlo, Montana on 30 August, 1932, the first of five children
born to Leland Henry
Gentry and Cleone Homer Gentry. I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, graduated
from South High School and the University of Utah and later received a Ph.D.
from Brigham Young University.
From an early age, I developed a love for genealogy research and eventually
traced the Gentry family line back to the original immigrant. I love the
Savior and have a strong testimony of His gospel. After serving a mission in
the Central States for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was
drafted into the U.S. Army and served most of my tour of duty as a Chaplain's
Assistant at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
On 25 May 1956 I was married to my eternal companion, Myrna Miller, in the Salt
Lake Temple, with Elder Harold B. Lee officiating. Over the years, we were
blessed with five wonderful children.
I was called to serve in many church capacities, including bishop's counselor,
member of two high councils and counselor in a stake presidency. My great love
was teaching and I began my career with the Church Education System as a young
principal of the Tooele Seminary. A short time later, our little family
traveled to Ithaca, NY, where I opened the first seminary and institute east
of the Mississippi. Other teaching assignments included four years at the
Institute of Religion in Cedar City, UT, seven years at the Institute of
Religion in Logan, UT, a short time at the CES central office in Salt Lake
City, UT and then at the Institute of Religion in Salt Lake City, until
retirement. We made many wonderful friendships over the years, for which we
are very
grateful.
Through our association with the Church Education System, Myrna and I were
blessed to make several trips to the Holy Land and the Mid-eastern area, first
on a 10-week Sabbatical and later as tour guides for seminary/institute
teachers and students. We also enjoyed directing several Church and American
History tours and met many wonderful people on these occasions.
I was preceded in death by my parents, a daughter (Debra Lynn Cheney),
granddaughter, (Candice Cheney) and grandson, (Kevin
Gentry), as well as two brothers, (Frank and Robin), and a niece and two
nephews. I leave behind my loving wife of 51 years, sons Brian
(Diana) and Steven (Marinda), daughters Christine Bladen (Kent) and Janae
Sanders (Mark), a brother, Ricky, and sister Jolene Wangsgard (Deon); 36
grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, an uncle and aunt (Jack and Shirley
Homer), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 10th, at the River
Ridge 7th Ward, 10200 S. 1300 W., South Jordan, UT. Friends may call Thurs.
evening from 7-9 p.m. at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S. 2300 E. in Salt Lake City,
UT (additional parking in Red Hanger parking lot) and at the church from
9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will take place at Wasatch Lawn
Memorial Park. Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.holbrookmortuary.com.
Many thanks to Rocky Mountain Home Care and to all who have given care to
Leland over the years.
He will be greatly missed by his family and by those whose lives he touched
throughout the years.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Leland Gentry
Beave
August 21, 2007
Mom,
Us kids are thrilled for Dad. Children like us can learn a lot from a dad like him.
The other night I was laying in bed while Knewi was in the kitchen. I thought I'd try to be like dad one more time and yelled out, "Myrna!" Knewi came right in and smiled at me, and I knew I'm just a chip off the old block.
I'm leaving dad's obituary on the fridge until his birthday so I can wish him the 75th and final one that he never quite made it to.
Love you Mom. Love you lots and lots.
Judith Manwill Horsley
August 17, 2007
Sister Gentry:
I first met Leland when he and his family moved into Lincoln Ward. From that point on, we were friends, until he met you, left the Ward, and was married. (I attended your reception.) From that point on, our lives went separate ways.
I recognized early on that Leland was a special person, deeply committed to the Gospel. I was not surprised at the direction his life took, nor at his success. I remember him saying that he wanted to be a teacher, because that is what Christ was. I am a better person for having known him.
I was saddened to learn of his passing. May happy memories and knowledge of our eternal future carry you through this sorrowful time.
Robert Dalton
August 13, 2007
Dear Sis. Gentry,
I don't know if you will remember me but I was a student of Bro. Gentry's at the UofU in the early 80's. He was my friend and mentor while I was at the U and even wrote to me a few times on my mission. We kept in touch by phone over the years. In 1999 I had the privilege of coming to your home and introducing my oldest son, Conor to Bro. Gentry.
I am so grateful that I had the privilege of knowing your husband.
One of the many lessons he taught me happened in a Comparative Religion Class. He had invited a minister from a local SLC Church to come to the class and present his beliefs. The minister was not very complimentary to our church and being a young prospective Elder, I felt is was my reponsibilty to take him to task. After the class was over, Bro. Gentry asked me to come to his office. He said, "Bob, you need to be a Saint not a Warrior."
I just wanted you and your family to know how much I love him and how important he has been to me.
My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Annabelle Beckner Kelson-Wood
August 11, 2007
I knew Brother Gentry many years ago when he was in the Army stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado where he attended the branch of the Church in Colorado Springs. He was a person everyone looked up to and admired - a great example to me and many others. I am sure you are comforted because of his great faith and the way he lived his life, and such a noble son of our Heavenly Father will be watching over his loved ones, and you will be reunited with him. May you feel the peace and comfort that comes from that knowledge.
Annabelle Beckner Kelson Wood
Chrys & Jim Reynolds
August 10, 2007
Sister Gentry and family,
My husband, Jim Reynolds, and I loved your husband! As I told your son the other night when he called me to tell me that Brother Gentry had passed away, Brother Gentry was more responsible for our almost 40 year Temple marriage than anyone I can think of.
He guided the two of us gently and ably through the aftermath of a crisis that could have cost us our relationship with eachother, and he attended our eventual wedding in the Logan Temple in December of 1967.
I worked for Brother Gentry in his office for several months during that time in our lives, and he gave me some advice that I have never forgotten. As a former very in-active Mormon from a very
in-active family, I had a problem which was causing me deep concern and anguish. I asked him what to do about my problem, and he gave me a very simple but very profound answer. He told me that I could take that problem to my Heavenly Father and to my Elder Brother, Jesus Christ -- whom he assured me were the only two individuals who truly knew and understood my heart and my problem -- and that they would help me solve my problem. I took his advice and have remembered it and used it ever since, every time I have had a need for understanding, comfort and guidance from a divine source.
Jim and I loved Brother Gentry's institute classes. He had such great humor and intelligence (which can easily be seen in the wonderful picture of him which accompanies his obituary!) He also -- and most importantly -- had a deep and abiding testimony!
We missed him greatly at the Institute and in our lives when he left there to go to Salt Lake.
I saw him only once after that. Many years later, we ran into eachother in the cafeteria at the Church Office building. For a few minutes, we caught up on eachothers' lives, and I was able to enjoy his warmth and his wonderful smile one more time.
Then, I discovered a few months ago that he had written a book about the area my ancestors settled in in northwestern Missouri before they moved to Far West and were forced out of Missouri with the rest of the saints, so I found his phone number in whitepages.com and spoke to him for a few minutes over the phone. I was dismayed to hear how frail he was as I hadn't known he had MS, and so I asked Sister Gentry if she would let me know when he passed away as I felt at the time that that would happen in the not too distant future. (Thank you so much, by the way, for honoring that request at such a difficult time in your lives.)
Tonight, as I looked at the charming and so true to life picture of him which you chose to accompany his obituary, I was reminded of his warmth, his humor and his intellect, and I can see him -- as I'm sure you can -- enjoying his new life as he once did his old life here on earth.
I pray that the Lord will bless all of you in the coming months as you mourn for him, and that He will bring to your memories many fond and beautiful remembrances of your husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
I also hope you will all know that for every former student who knows about the passing of Brother Gentry and who writes in this guest book, that there are hundreds more who loved him, too, and who would write and acknowledge that affection for him if they were aware that he had passed away.
All our love,
Deena Ely
August 10, 2007
Please accept our sincere sympathy and heartfelt sorrow for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Loving thoughts go out to you all, and especially to Jeff, Sarah and Kristine. They will surely miss their loving grandfather. He was a good man and a great example to us all.
Love, Aunt Deena & family
Linda Lou Davis
August 9, 2007
My deepest sympathy to the family, you may not remember me as Leland was quite a bit older than me. He was my Dad's older brother, Buster Davis. I'm his daughter Linda Lou. I'm so greatful for all the work he did for our family history. Give love to the rest of the family , sorry I didn't learn sooner of his passing so i could attend his funeral.
Neal Cox
August 9, 2007
I was a student of Bro. Gentry's at the Logan LDS Institute of Religion. He was a great inspiration to many of us and was a dedicated scholar as well as a true Latter-day Saint. I remember how he would often have a new thought and take time to draft the thought on a 3x5 card. His mind was always functioning at top speed, and he was a great teacher, mentor and inspiration to me personally. Our love to the family.
Loraine Tolman Pace
August 9, 2007
Dear Sister Gentry,
I remember Bro. Gentry when he taught seminary at Provo High School with my my father, William O. Tolman. I heard so many nice things about Bro. Gentry but wasn't able to take a class from him until I was at BYU. I loved his classes and him! God be with you.
William Emory Gentry
August 9, 2007
Over 30 years ago I met Brother Leland at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He helped me to get started and enthusiastic about Geneaolgy--I have since joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1980 and realize how important his geneology teachings and example have been. Leland Gentry impacted my life and geneology is a Big part of my life.
I send my condolences to his family and a "thank you" to Brother Leland.
Bill Gentry
Tracy Dunham
August 8, 2007
My deepest sympathy to the Gentry family. My prayers and love are with each one of you right now. I so enjoyed being your neighbor and always felt welcome and loved in your home. Our family have missed you all so much. We love you and send our prayers to you.
Pamela Johnson
August 8, 2007
As a young high school graduate I had the privilege of working in the CES Institute Curriculum department at Church Headquarters during the time that Brother Gentry was assigned there. During my time there I had the privilege of helping him with his filing system that he was perfecting and learned many wonderful skills from him. His was always a spirit of gentle kindness and I wanted you to know that I am one more life he has touched.
Sharon Haltiwager
August 8, 2007
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the day ahead.
Our prayers are with you.
Sharon and Gene
Jayme (Warrington) Phibbs
August 8, 2007
Janae and family,
I'm so saddened to hear of your loss. You've been blessed with a close and loving family and I know that you will draw strength from eachother during this time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peggy & Sid Smith
August 8, 2007
Myrna dear,
At a time such as this, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Myrna, we have fond memories of our very young days with you. May God's choicest blessings of comfort and peace be with you and those you care for.
Much love,
Kate Ransom
August 8, 2007
I was a student of Bro. Gentry at USU and greatly liked and admired him. Never would have guessed at his many accomplishments because he was so personable, humble a disciple, and generous with his knowledge and friendship. Blessings on all his family.
Kari (Reid) Kirk
August 8, 2007
Janae and family- My condolences to you and your family at the loss of your father. May your memories of your dad help you get past the grief. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Gerald Williams
August 8, 2007
Brother Gentry was my seminary teacher in Tooele and was by far the single most important spiritual influence as I grew up and prepared for missionary and other service. My love for and understanding of the scriptures began and grew from the inspiring personal example of this great teacher. He spoke at my missionary farewell in Tooele in June 1961. I have since served as a mission president and in other callings in which I drew deeply on the faith and knowledge I saw modeled so lovingly, energetically, and humbly in Brother Gentry.
Darlene Marsh
August 8, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Bro. Gentry was my institute teacher at USU and I found him to be a gentle, understanding leader. His advice was directed toward the individual in a kind and loving way.
LaDonna Rawlings
August 8, 2007
Many years ago a friend of mine was in Bro. Gentry's class at Provo High Seminary. Soon after that I was attending BYU and found out he was teaching a class. I arranged my schedule so I could have him as my religion teacher. I was not disappointed! I loved his humble testimony and his love of the Savior.
I have often wondered where he was, but am so sorry to read that he has suffered with MS for 35 years. What a test for him and his family.
Please know that he was loved. I would say to him:
Thank you Bro. Gentry for sharing your testimony, knowledge, and love of the gospel and the Savior with me and thousands of other fortunate students. You will be missed. I'm sure you are enjoying a wonderful reunion with loved ones and are basking in the presence of our Savior.
Thank you!
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