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- Mr. Carson R. Gentry, Sr., of Johnson City, TN passed away Sunday, September 13, 2015, in the Community Living Center at the Veterans Administration following a brief illness.
Carson was a resident of Johnson City, TN. He was the son of the late John and Dora Shelton Gentry of Marshall, North Carolina.
Carson was a 20-year veteran of the United States Army and Prisoner of War for 33 months during the Korean conflict. He pulled tours of duty in Korea, Japan, Iceland, Panama, and the ETSU ROTC Department in Johnson City, TN, as well as other stateside tours. During his military career, Carson earned numerous military accomplishments, which included two purple hearts for his service during the Korean conflict. After his military retirement in 1969, Carson began another career at East Tennessee State University as purchasing control manager. He spent the next 23 years there until retirement in 1993. Carson was later inducted into the first ceremony held at ETSU for ETSU ROTC Hall of Fame members.
Carson founded the first POW chapter in Johnson City, TN and served as commander for several years. Carson was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a lifelong member of the American Legion where he served as commander. Carson enjoyed serving the community and his fellow military veterans anyway possible. Caron was invited to many community events to speak about his Korean POW capture and experiences. His story is found online at the Library of Congress at www.loc.gov. He participated annually in the Fourth of July parade in Kingsport, TN and honored his fellow veterans by annually, working with the local Boy Scouts placing flags on graves at the Mountain Home National Cemetery.
After his second retirement from ETSU, his favorite past time was fishing, boating, playing with his German Shepherd Mack, and being with his family. Cason was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, Carson was preceded in death by two sisters, Eppie Cutshall; Roxy Wilkerson; and three brothers, Chester Gentry, Dewey Gentry, and Joe Gentry
Survivors include his wife of sixty-two years, Alice Louise Arnold Gentry; one daughter, Pam and her husband Gene Williams; one son, Carson, Jr. and his wife Deidra; one sister, Muncie Gosnell; one brother, Doward Gentry and his wife Robina; three grandchildren, Wesley Williams and his wife Elizabeth, Candace Williams, and TJ Gentry; one great grandchild, Charlotte Mae Williams; several nieces and nephews.
The family of Mr. Carson R. Gentry, Sr. will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday, September 15, 2015, in the Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 8 PM with Rev. Kenneth Kyker officiating. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 1:45 PM Wednesday, in the Mountain Home National Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Carson Gentry, Jr., Wesley Williams, and others chosen from family and friends. The Boone Dam Post # 4933 and the Tennessee National Guard will accord military honors. Minister, family and friends are requested to meet at the funeral home by 1 PM Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery.
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1930 - 2015 (84 years)
