Thomas Lee Gentry

THOMAS LEE GENTRY, age 93, of Churchville, died at his home on June 9, 2005. Born in Todd, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Charles Wesley and Minnie Wilcox Gentry. In 1945 he founded Churchville Construction Co., Inc. which he operated until 1972. His company is well-known for building homes, businesses, and many churches in Harford County as well as numerous buildings for West Nottingham Academy in Cecil County. He was the owner and founder of Gentry Development Inc. which began in the early 1970’s. In earlier years he was on the Board of Directors of Havre de Grace Bank and Trust which later became Maryland National Bank. Additionally he served on the Board of Directors of Loyola Federal Savings and Loan which is now Sun Trust. He has been a member of Bel Air Rotary and Churchville Ruritan Club. He and his wife were instrumental in supporting the FACETS Boys Home in Fallston. He was a member of the Churchville Presbyterian Church where he served on the Board of Trustees. In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and helping his friends and neighbors in many ways.

Mr. Gentry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Thelma Weaver Gentry; two sons, Robert T. Gentry and his wife Jeannie of Tucson, Arizona, and Richard A. Gentry and his wife Kathleen of Churchville; one daughter, Mary Ellen Trusheim and her husband Dale of Newark, Delaware, and one daughter-in-law Patricia Gentry of Bel Air; one brother, Ambrose A. Gentry of Todd, North Carolina; one sister, Virginia D. Lemly of Bel Air; 12 grandchildren: Michael Gentry, Neal Gentry, Lisa Laatsch, Alex Gentry, Leanne Salyer, Katherine Brown, Elise Gentry, Jason Zarzycki, Joseph Zarzycki, Jessica Zarzycki, Amy Trusheim, and Ian Trusheim and eight great-grandchildren: Alyssa Mullins, Keith Salyer, Bruce Salyer, Kenneth Salyer, Grant Salyer, Terry Gentry, Adam Gentry, and Tyler Brown In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one son, Terrell W. Gentry, one brother and three sisters.


Pallbearers were: Michael Gentry, Neal Gentry, Alex Gentry, Ian Trusheim, Joseph Zarzycki, and Jason Zarzycki.

In lieu of flowers those who desire may contribute to Harford Habitat for Humanity, 205 S. Hays Street, Bel Air, Maryland 21014-3646.