Obituary for LTC Joseph Walter GENTRY
LTC Joseph Gentry, US Army, retired, passed away last week at the age of 75. Born in St Louis, Missouri, Joe was the son of the late Joshua and Geneva Gentry.
In high school, he sang in the St Louis Public School Boys Choir. Later, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lincoln University where he played on the marching band’s drum line and was commissioned into the Army through ROTC. While on active duty, he earned his Masters Degree.
He married his college sweetheart and was assigned to the 49th MP Battalion. Joe was stationed overseas in Germany and South Korea, was deployed to Vietnam and had a number of CONUS assignments. He subsequently retired as Deputy Post Commander at Fort Carson at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Next, he joined the Colorado Springs School System as the Athletic Director for Harrison High School. He was passionate for track and field and coached at the Junior Olympic and Olympic levels. He established the Joe Gentry Track Troop, where he helped many athletes earn college scholarships through track. He received numerous awards in track and field and was a three time Olympic track coach. He continued to coach athletes through the NFL combine and served as the speed coach for NFL athletes on the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. He supported USA Track and Field, serving on the USA Track and Field Committee for many years.
He was a proud member and Past President of the Iota Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Colorado Springs.
Joe is survived by his sister, Marabeth; two daughters, Stephanie, Janeen and her husband Duane; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
His joy for life will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
There will be a memorial service at Evergreen Funeral Home on Friday February 1st at 3PM.
In high school, he sang in the St Louis Public School Boys Choir. Later, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lincoln University where he played on the marching band’s drum line and was commissioned into the Army through ROTC. While on active duty, he earned his Masters Degree.
He married his college sweetheart and was assigned to the 49th MP Battalion. Joe was stationed overseas in Germany and South Korea, was deployed to Vietnam and had a number of CONUS assignments. He subsequently retired as Deputy Post Commander at Fort Carson at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Next, he joined the Colorado Springs School System as the Athletic Director for Harrison High School. He was passionate for track and field and coached at the Junior Olympic and Olympic levels. He established the Joe Gentry Track Troop, where he helped many athletes earn college scholarships through track. He received numerous awards in track and field and was a three time Olympic track coach. He continued to coach athletes through the NFL combine and served as the speed coach for NFL athletes on the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. He supported USA Track and Field, serving on the USA Track and Field Committee for many years.
He was a proud member and Past President of the Iota Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Colorado Springs.
Joe is survived by his sister, Marabeth; two daughters, Stephanie, Janeen and her husband Duane; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
His joy for life will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
There will be a memorial service at Evergreen Funeral Home on Friday February 1st at 3PM.