Samuel Eugene Sentell Jr.

SAMUEL EUGENE SENTELL, JR., 86, died on Friday, November 4, 2005. He was born in Dixie, Louisiana on January 25, 1919 to Sam and Aline Woodbridge Sentell, grew up in Shreveport, attended Byrd High School and LSU in Baton Rouge where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. Gene and Mary Jane Querbes, also of Shreveport, married on July 27, 1940. Throughout his life he believed their marriage was the main reason for his happiness and success. Gene spent his career in the natural gas business. He worked for the Arkansas-Louisiana Gas Company for 5 years before being drafted into the Navy, serving on the destroyer CJ Badger in the South Pacific. Their final engagement was the battle of Okinawa. He and Mary Jane were active members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where he served a term as Senior Warden. After their move to Houston, they became members of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. In 1947 Gene was fortunate to be among the first employees hired by the new Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation. In 1961 Texas Eastern (now Duke Energy) moved him and their headquarters to Houston where he was sales manager and later in charge of customer relations at the company's hunting and fishing lodges, retiring in 1984. He was a fantastic wing shot, even when using his .410. He introduced many, who became life long hunters, to the sport. Gene was a member of the Colonneh Club, serving a one-year term as president, enjoying their camaraderie as he had with all the many friends he made throughout the years. Gene loved his wife, his family, his company and his country, and was grateful for the life he was offered. His family and friends will cherish their memories of his humor, kindness and optimism. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife's parents, Randolph and Mary Gertrude Querbes; sister, Novaline Sentell; sister and brother in-law, Tetine and John Terrell; nephew, Randolph Terrell; and his beloved Boston Terrier, Dixie. He is survived by his wife; son, Gene and wife Dianna; daughter, Tetine Werlein and husband Chip; grandchildren, Tetine Sentell and husband Craig McHenry, Cliff Sentell and wife Lisa, Clair Werlein and Kate Werlein; great grandson, Linden McHenry; brother, Bill Sentell and wife Nancy; nieces, Mary Terrell Joseph, Jane Terrell Johnson, Nancy Jane Sentell Seale and Linda Sentell Wright; nephew, Will Sentell; and many extended family members for whom he cared deeply. All will miss his fun and gentle presence. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 7th of November, in the chapel of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., with the Rev. Dr. Douglas W. Richnow officiating. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held in Sumners's Hall. Internment will take place in Shreveport at a later date. For those desiring, donations may be made to St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 77019, or St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 275 Southfield Rd., Shreveport, LA 71105 or the charity of your choice. On line tributes may be posted at www.bradshawcarter.com.