James Turner Gentry

It is with heavy hearts and thankful spirits, we announce James Turner Gentry is safe in the arms of Jesus. Surrounded by his family that included the love of his life, Linda, his wife of sixty-two years, and his children Kimberly and Brad, he passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Schumpert Hospice.

Funeral services honoring the life of Jimmy will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2024, located at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive in Shreveport, Louisiana. Rev. Michael Stowell, son of Rev. Bill Stowell who was the long-time pastor and friend of the family, will officiate. Interment will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Road in Shreveport.

Jimmy was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he served currently as a Deacon. In the past he served in many capacities, including serving on the Finance Committee, Grounds Committee, Bus Committee, as a Sunday School Youth Teacher, and he even helped in the Nursery. He was always open to any service opportunity and served in many more capacities at Emmanuel through the years.

His personality and vigor for life led him to motorcycle and car racing as hobbies in his younger years! His love for people made Jimmy a prominent member of the area and his philanthropic faith led him to take care of any in need of which he was aware.

In his senior year at Fair Park High School, Jimmy met his wife Linda, who was in Jr. High, while riding a motorcycle with his best friend James, which happened to be Linda’s oldest brother. He would tease younger Linda unmercifully as he would visit while attending Northwestern State University, where he earned an Industrial Engineering degree in 1962. He convinced Linda to marry him 2 months after graduating.

Although he was offered work using his engineering career outside of Louisiana, he chose to stay in Shreveport becoming a Fireman and added a side hustle driving a truck, which would eventually morph into a thriving business – James Gentry Trucking.

He started James Gentry Trucking in 1962 with one truck running to California and only himself and his very supportive wife, Linda, as employees. All the while Linda was managing the trucking, 200 acres and 100 cows that they had purchased, and keeping the home fires burning. No wonder that the tenacity between Jimmy and Linda led to James Gentry Trucking now having 75 employees and running over 50 trucks to the southern and western states of the USA!

Being a dad and a papaw was a highlight of his life. Oh, how we all miss him and his life and guidance.

“Jimmy” or James, as he preferred in his later years was preceded in death by his mom, Juanita Harris Gentry; his dad, J.W. Gentry and wife Francis; sister, Janice Ramsey; and stepbrother, Bryan Gentry.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Mason Gentry; his children, Kimberly French, James Bradly Gentry, and Marilyn Gentry; grandchildren, Megan Elizabeth French, John Daniel French and wife Sarah, Jacob Bradly Gentry, James Tyler Gentry, and Morgan Paige Gentry; step siblings, Liz Pene, Cary Gee, and Dewayne Gentry; along with many loving nieces and nephews.

Honoring Jimmy as pallbearers will be his grandsons, family, and friends: Daniel French, Jake Gentry, Tyler Gentry, Jared Ramsey, Steve Mason, Scott Mason, Gregg Sellers, and Adam Sellers. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Will Collins, Curtis Hooks, Percy Thornton, George Ramsey, Harry Fletcher, and the employees and drivers of James Gentry Trucking.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Bob Massingill and Schumpert Hospice; caregivers, Tenisha Hongo and Jackie Johnson; Emmanuel Baptist’s Deacon Family, and all family and friends who offered thoughts and prayers on behalf of Jimmy.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in James Gentry’s name to The Heart of Hope Ministry in Keithville, LA. heartofhopeministry.org