Cecil Lee Gentry Jr.

Cecil Lee Gentry, Jr., of Calera, AL, passed from this earth on Saturday, July 12, 2025. He was 84 years old. He was born on October 23, 1941, in Birmingham, AL. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil Lee Gentry, Sr. and Mary Sue Russell Gentry, brother Tommy Gentry and sister Charlotte Cook. He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Olivia Jacqueline Price Gentry, 2 daughters, Nan (Ken) Letson and Joy Hanson, 2 sons, Darryl Gentry (Lydia) and Rusty Gentry (Mitzi), and one sister, Donna Glatzner (Steve). He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren: Sarah Holsombeck, Hannah Gregg, Maghen Sisty, Rachel Stockard, Abigail Ketcham, Bethany Jones, Jacob Gentry, Payton Gentry, Joshua Letson, Makayla Gentry, Reagan Hanson, Riley Hanson; 15 great grandchildren: Lucy Stockard, Eve Holsombeck, Naomi Holsombeck, Moses Stockard, Emerald Stockard, Sam Holsombeck, Charlie Jones, Magnolia Ketcham, Grant Kyser Theo Jones, Caleb Ketcham, Brooks Kyser, Ollie Gregg, Mary Cameron Sisty, and Row Ketcham; and many other family members and friends.

He was a long-time member of Fairfield Highlands Baptist Church in Midfield, AL, where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday School, and served in many other capacities. He was later a member of First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, AL, and was attending The Church at Shelby Crossings in Calera, AL at the time of his passing.

He worked for more than 50 years in the car and truck business, eventually owning his own company. He loved his family, he loved to work, and he was an avid Alabama football fan.

 A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, July 19, at 12 noon at the Church at Shelby Crossings, 532 George Roy Parkway, Calera, AL 35040. Visitation will be from 10:30-12. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Church at Shelby Crossings Women’s Ministry. https://shelbycrossings.breezechms.com/give/online (On the payment information section, add “Cecil Gentry Memorial” on the “comments” line)

1 Comments

  1. Irene Bates;Patty & Eugene Bates on July 19, 2025 at 4:16 am

    The Bates family is so sorry for this sweet man’s passing. But rejoice in knowing where he is! Our prayers are with all of you!