John O. Gentrey

 John Oliver Gentrey, 83, of French Settlement, Louisiana, passed away peacefully in his home on September 5, 2024. John is survived by his three daughters, Rhonda Everett (George Everett Jr), Pamela Mercante (Raymond Mercante) and Tracy LeBeau (James Lebeau); eight grandchildren, Cindy Hack (Donny), John McClendon (Sara), Samantha Cambre (Luke), Ashley Overmier (Ben), Jennifer Mercante, Rebecca Mercante, Aaron LeBeau (Christina) and Holly LeBeau; eighteen great grandchildren, one great great grandson and one sister, Betty Merrit. He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Mary Susanna West Gentrey, his mother, Jeanette McCullough, his brother and four sisters.

 Burial services will be held in his honor at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Bogalusa, Louisiana on Tuesday, September 10th at 10:30am. Pallbearers are grandsons; John McClendon and Aaron LeBeau and great grandsons; Trey Holland, Trevor Hack, Kade Hack and Brayden Hack.

 John was a retired U.S. Army veteran who proudly served his country during two tours in Vietnam. After retiring from the military in 1979, he worked in several areas, finally landing at the Louisiana state capital serving as the Chief Sergeant at Arms for the House of Representatives until he retired in 2001. John was a soldier, both in the Army and in life. He was a leader and the hardest of workers. He was strong willed with an enormous heart and a great sense of humor. He was a generous man, both with wisdom and tangible things. He could fix anything that was broken and grow anything that could be planted. John loved going to his camp, fishing, gardening and could grill a mean brisket. Most notably, he loved each of his friends and every member of his family with a passion. His absence will leave a huge hole in the lives he graced and he will be missed beyond words.