Reverend Jackie Donald Gentry "Jack", age 61 of Keystone Heights passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at Shands Hospital in Starke. Jack was born in Asheville, North Carolina on May 25, 1952 and was a 1970 graduate of Asheville High School. He received his B.A. Degree in Religion from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina and then continued his education by receiving his Master's of Divinity Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Jack was endorsed as a Home Missionary by The North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also served on the statewide Church Training Committee of the North Carolina Baptist Convention and Moderator/Interim Director of Missions of the Avery Baptist Association in Newland, North Carolina.

Rev. Gentry was licensed to preach by the Calvary Baptist Church in Asheville, NC. He was ordained into the ministry in 1975 at the First Baptist Church in Starke where his is also a member. Prior to moving to Keystone Heights, Jack pastored the following churches; Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Cromwell, KY; Pineola Baptist Church, Pineola, NC; Penderlea Baptist Church, Wallace, NC; Bethlehem Baptist Church, Carthage, NC and Woodward Baptist Church in Chester, SC.

In 1992 Jack and his family had moved to Keystone Heights and he began his 20 year career in 1994 as Chaplain for the Department of Corrections. He attended the First Baptist Church in Keystone Heights and enjoyed history, reading, writing music and spending time with his son, Samuel. Jack was preceded in death by his mother Delma Gentry and is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy Marie (Gay) Gentry; son, Samuel C. Gentry, wife Kelsey and their daughter Addie; father, Colman R. Gentry all of Keystone Heights; one daughter, Rhonda Gentry Sizemore of Enka, NC and her sons, Corey and Andrew; sister, Angela Sue Gentry of Asheville, NC; and a brother-in-law, Greg Gay of Keystone Heights.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2014 in the First Baptist Church of Keystone Heights with the viewing beginning at 12 noon. Rev. Ben P. Bryant and Rev. Daniel M. Findley will be officiating and the burial will follow at the Keystone Heights Cemetery.
The family has asked to please omit flowers and make contributions to: First Baptist Church, designated for North American Mission Board, 550 E. Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, FL 32656.

Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. WALKER DR. KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL 32656.
352-473-3176.www.jonesgallagherfh.com
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