Willis Gentry III

Willis Edward Gentry, III, born on January 25, 1928, passed away peacefully at home with his loved ones at his side, at the age of 82 on November 24, 2010, after a brief illness.-

He was the eldest son of Willis Edward and Rose Anderson Gentry and grew up in San Antonio, Texas.-He was a graduate of Harlendale High School and completed his studies at the Southwest Texas State, earning his degree in education.-Upon graduation he moved to Eagle Pass, Texas, to teach, where he also met his wife of 60 years, Guadalupe Gonzalez.-

He worked in Von Ormy, Texas, at Aldridge Nurseries then moved to Laredo, Texas, in 1968, purchasing a small business, The Laredo Garden Center, as gardening and the outdoors was his passion.-Over forty years, the Garden Center, later known as "Gentry's" grew to also include flower, gift and pet shops, not only in Laredo but in Brownsville, Corpus Christi, El Paso, and Las Cruces, New Mexico.-It was through his business and his leadership involvement with the Texas Association of Nurserymen that Mr. Gentry met many people whom he considered friends in Laredo and throughout the state.-

He devoted all of his time to his family, his business, his community, and his vacation home in Leakey, Texas.-His fondest memories were those he spent gardening at home, traveling with his wife and grandchildren, and celebrating summers and holidays with family and friends in the Texas Hill Country.-

He was a proud Paul Harris Fellow participating in the many service projects of the Laredo Rotary Club and looked forward annually to setting up for the United Methodist Church Flower Show.-He was a proud Southwest Texas alum, Aggie Dad, and Aggie and Texas State Bobcat Grandpa.-Many will remember him for helping plant Laredo beautiful including local landmarks such as the La Posada, Blessed Sacrament Church and many residential homes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Rose Gentry, his brother, James Gentry; and brothers-in-law: Joaquin, Manuel, Luis, Jorge, and Edilberto Gonzalez.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Guadalupe Gonzalez Gentry, his children: Willis Edward IV (Elvia), Patricia (Joe) Flores of Brownsville, George (Grizelda) Gentry of San Antonio, and Richard (Olga) Gentry, his grandchildren: Carolina and Willis E. Gentry V, Christina (John) Mendoza and Linda (William) Burch, George (Kimberly) Gentry Jr., James and Elizabeth Rose Gentry, and John Richard, Patrick and Joseph Gentry, and his great grand-children, Joseph and Madison Mendoza.-He is also survived by his sisters, Margie Gentry Stahala and Bonnie Gentry Sundquist, both of San Antonio, his sisters-in-law Teresa B. Gonzalez and Consuelo and Irene Gonzalez, his brother-in-law, Antonio, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.-

Visitation for Mr. Gentry will be held Monday, November 29, 2010 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church from 10a.m. to 11a.m. where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow promptly at 11a.m. con-celebrated by Msgr. Alex Salazar, long time family friend, and Father John Jesus Moloney.

Private burial services will be held at a later date.-

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Augustine High School, 1300 Galveston, Laredo, Texas, 78040.