Dr. Jack Leonard Gentry, Sr.

Dr. Jack Leonard Gentry, Sr., 93, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025. Jack was born on September 14, 1931, in Surry County, NC, the eldest child of Harvey Bryan Gentry and Loraine Darnell Gentry. He and his two younger sisters, Mildred and Nancy, were raised in Booneville, NC. 

Jack felt at an early age that he was called to Christian missions. He excelled in school and gained admission to Wake Forest College in 1950. His initial time at Wake Forest was cut short when he chose to volunteer for service in the United States Navy during the conflict in Korea. He served for almost four years as a Hospital Corpsman and volunteer chaplain, reaching the rank of Petty Officer and serving for 28 months onboard the USS Guadalupe (AO32). Upon discharge from the Navy Jack returned to Wake Forest College where he met his future wife, Ruby Elaine Hickman. Jack completed his undergraduate studies (BA) in 1958, enrolled at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, started pastoring Union Grove Baptist Church in Yadkin County, and then married Ruby Hickman on July 11, 1959, in Enfield, NC. Upon completion of his Master of Divinity degree, he became pastor of Ramseur Baptist Church. Jack and Ruby’s first child, Ruby Jan Gentry, was born Jan. 27th, 1963. In 1964 Jack and Ruby were appointed as career missionaries and sailed across the Pacific, arriving in Taiwan in April of 1965, where they immediately began full-time study of the Taiwanese language. While in language study their second child, Jack Leonard Gentry, Jr (“Jay”) was born Oct. 6, 1966. Jack and Ruby eventually studied both Taiwanese and Mandarin and became active in evangelization work, initially in the southern part of Taiwan, then in the central region. During furloughs Jack continued his formal studies, eventually receiving Master of Theology and Doctor of Divinity degrees from Southeastern Theological Seminary, along with an additional Master of Arts degree from Wake Forest University. In 1977 Jack became the Director of the Church Education Center in Taichung, Taiwan, leading in developing Chinese language educational content used throughout the East Asia region. After 30 years of service in Taiwan, Jack and Ruby retired to the Winston-Salem, NC area, where Jack began working with the Pilot Mountain, Liberty, and Yadkin Baptist Associations as interim Director of Missions and both he and Ruby enjoyed service and leadership roles within Ardmore Baptist Church. Jack facilitated Bible study and English language study for Chinese, as well as working with Chinese friends to begin the Winston Salem Chinese Christian Church. 

Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruby Hickman Gentry, his two children, his five grandchildren, and his three great-grandchildren. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Ardmore Baptist Church with Rev. Tyler Tankersley and Dr. Gina M. Brock officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to one of the following: Ardmore Baptist Church mission ministries, 501 Miller Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, the Winston-Salem Chinese Christian Church, 501 Miller Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, or Agape Way Ministries, 314 Sylvan Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family of Dr. Gentry.