Tommy Gentry

Thomas Samuel Gentry, loving father, joyful and loyal friend, and hardware store
manager who served customers with dedication, care, and conviction graced this world
with his presence for eight-five years of a full life. On February 6th, 2025, Tommy, as he
was known to all, died peacefully at home with family around him. To know Tommy
was to know a man who was humble, kind, and generous of spirit. In his daily work life,
Tommy was dedicated to his job and his craft as an expert in every aspect of hardware
and the hardware business. With his first job at Normal Hardware in the early 60s,
later, Tommy and Gail made their way to Decatur, Alabama, for an opportunity. Not
long after, Doug Meyer at Farmer’s Hardware called Tommy to bring him back to
Athens, and he joined Farmer’s Hardware, traveling with Doug to car races in the
Southeast. Later in his career, Tommy moved to McDonald’s Hardware in Commerce,
running the business for long time State Legislator Bubba McDonald. He was beloved
by all of his former employees, colleagues, and employers. Outside of work, Tommy
loved to fish with family and friends, play golf, and embarrass his friends, who thought
they could get the best of him on the links. Always available with an easy smile and kind
words of encouragement, Tommy was a friend to everyone who met him.
As a father, Tommy was among the most patient parents his son and daughters could
ask for. He was kind and accepting to a fault, offering gentle correction and guidance
rather than a harsh hand. As a grandfather, his grandchildren called him Pop Tom,
named by his eldest grandchild Blake, and he was the kind of grandfather that endlessly
spoiled his grandchildren. From building Lego sets on the floor with those grandkids to
giving them buckets of ice cream when their parents weren’t looking, Tommy adored his
grandchildren as much as they adored him.
As husband, Tommy was loving and caring, blessed with sixty-three years of marriage to
Gail Griffeth Gentry. After eloping in secret early in their lives together, Tommy and
Gail had three children, Tad, Whitney, and Hilliary in succession. They lived their lives
in Athens, Georgia as doting parents and Bulldog fans, attending home games together
for almost their entire lives.
Tommy is survived by his wife, Gail, his children Thomas (Tad) Gentry-Funk, Whitney
Riley, Hilliary Rounds, and his brother David Gentry. His grandchildren, Blake and
Blane Riley, Hadley Grace and Sibley Kate Fountain, and Halle and Riley Gentry-Funk
will always remember the moments together, Pop Tom’s sneaky smile, and the joy that
he brought to this earth. He is preceded in death by his parents Alene and Fred Gentry,
and his brothers Ralph and Bobby. He will be missed by everyone who met him, and
rests in peace in the arms of the Lord.