Todd Miles Gentzel

On Saturday, July 9, 2022 Todd Miles Gentzel of Krum, TX, loving husband, passed into the Lord's hands at the age of 49. Todd was born in Bellefonte, PA to loving parents Joseph and Judy Gentzel and older brother Mark on November 19, 1972.
Growing up, Todd enjoyed many activities. He loved riding his bike and playing many sports such as baseball, basketball, and golf. He enjoyed joining the other neighborhood kids with any newly invented game and had many funny stories of stunts that were attempted.
At a young age, he had a strong interest in music beginning with piano lessons at the age of 3 with his mom as his teacher. Later he joined the school band playing clarinet which eventually led to playing the saxophone and various other instruments. He secretly auditioned for the All-Eastern Chorus and was awarded a spot in the tenor section. Todd also enjoyed many hours hitting golf balls behind the family home and was instrumental in starting the Penns Valley Area High School golf team which made it to the state championship. Despite an offer of a collegiate golf scholarship, he followed his chosen path to study music.
He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Mansfield University (PA) and a Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University (OH) where he held a graduate teaching assistantship. While at Bowling Green State University, he played with the Jackie O Band with his friend and roommate. He pursued a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of North Texas where he held a graduate teaching assistantship and participated in the 5 & 7 O'Clock Lab Bands and Quatuor de Fromage Bleu Saxophone Quartet.
He made many friends along the way including Lisa (Fahlman) Michaels who introduced him to her sister, Cynthia, who was visiting from Canada. They had an instant connection and were soon engaged and married in Bellefonte, PA the following year. Todd and Cynthia spent many wonderful years together travelling, fishing, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Most of all, they just enjoyed each other's company and time spent together at home.
Todd was a well-respected musician and teacher who began teaching at the age of 18. He has been a saxophone professor at Stephen F. Austin University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he taught for 19 years. Additionally, he was a saxophone instructor in the Frisco ISD for over 20 years. He will be missed by many students, parents, and co-workers.
Todd enjoyed many hobbies. There wasn't a musical instrument he couldn't play including the banjo which was a recent passion. He continued to golf and enjoyed time spent with friends on the golf course and was teaching his wife Cynthia the game. He loved to fish, play pool, chess, and most of all darts. He participated in the Denton Area Dart League for over 20 years, winning 1st place in the Mixed Triples event in the 2004 American Darters Association National Championship. He enjoyed many hours playing Golden Tee with good friends. Additional passions included cooking and beer making. He was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, kindness and compassionate spirit.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, William and Cathrine Gentzel and Miles I. Rachau and Grace (Hosterman) Rachau and father-in-law, Wayne Fahlman. Todd is survived by wife of 21 years, Cynthia, parents Joseph and Judy (Rachau) Gentzel, brother Mark (Sandra), nieces Chamiqua and Katrina, mother-in-law Agi Fahlman, and sister-in-law Lisa (Tim) Michaels. He will also be missed by his feline buddy, Guinness.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 6pm at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1424 Stuart Road, Denton, TX with a memorial service beginning at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Southeastern Oklahoma State University Music Department, 425 W. University Blvd., Durant, OK 74701.