Daniel E Gentry Sr

 

God called home, one of His own, on Friday, November 17, 2023. Daniel Edward Gentry, 87, of Orlando, FL, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. 

Daniel was born in Jacksonville, FL June 15, 1936. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol E. Brown Gentry, his mother, Beulah M. Gentry and his father, Joseph "Pat" Taft Gentry. 

Daniel grew up in Jacksonville, FL and attended Landon High School, went on to the University of Florida, and graduated from the University of Central Florida. He met his beloved wife, Carol, while attending University of Florida and married her on August 31, 1956. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Gentry. Together Dan and Carol raised four children; Laurel DeMarsh (Frank), Daniel Gentry Jr. (Betty), Cynthia Gentry-Mickelson (Susan), and Scott Gentry (Lauri). His has sixteen grandchildren; Matt, Weegee, Miranda, Danny III, Carrie, Joey, Stephen, Jamie, Erin, Marcy, Emily, Anna, Tom, Sam, Jewell, and Kara. He also has 20 beloved great grandchildren. 

Dan began his career land surveying as a rodman in the mid-1950s. In 1958, he began his 54 year career at Jones, Wood and Gentry, where he ultimately became the president and owner in the early 70's. He built one of the most prestigious land surveying firms in the Central Florida area. Dan served on the Central FL Chapter of Professional Land Surveyors and served on the State Board of Florida Professional Land surveyors. Dan was an expert witness on several Ordinary High Water land-use cases. Several of these cases were landmark decisions. 

In addition to being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Dan enjoyed a life lived to the fullest! He and Carol traveled world-wide. Dan was an avid skier and along with Carol, skied throughout the Western US, Canada and Europe. Dan was a life-long outdoorsman, hunting and fishing throughout the state of Florida and other parts of the country. In the late 70's he became one of the original 7 gator trappers in the first ever, nuisance alligator program for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. Dan was an enthusiastic Florida Gator and UCF fan and he, along with Carol, attended Gator and Knight football games for years. 

Dan has always had a mind for History. He had a wealth of knowledge, read passionately, developed an extensive library on the subject of history, and loved to share his enthusiasm on the subject with others. He earned his Bachelor's degree in History from UCF in 1993. 

Dan had an amazing sense of humor. He always had a funny joke to tell and loved to get a laugh. He loved to tell stories and had an amazing memory for details. 

Dan was a very giving and generous person, was dedicated to his family, and was a great example of how to be a loving father and husband.