Mark Edward Gentry went home to be with his loving wife, his family and his Lord and Savior in the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 after an extended illness. He was 80 years old. He was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky to Edith Gertrude and Carl Edward Gentry on Aug. 28, 1944. Mark was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, James Aaron “Jim” Fletcher and Everett David Gentry; his loving wife of 53 years, Julia Ann “Judy” Gentry; and many more extended family and friends. Mark was a true renaissance man – he boasted adept mastery of the drums, fly fishing, photography, scale model building, story telling, computing, and the art of publication layout. He was a quiet enjoyer of life, content to sit back and admire the scenery before him with his friends and family chatting nearby. To some he was “Polo,” to his grandchildren he was “Pappaw,” but to most everyone Mark was known as “Friend.” To those who knew him, he was nothing but kind, selfless and loving. Mark is survived by his loving son, Christopher Edward “Chris” Gentry, who for the past 54 years has also been his best friend. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Becky Fay Gentry; his two grandchildren, Pierce Edward Gentry and Mary Katherine Fay Gentry; his sister-in-law, Shirley R. Fultz; and his immediate nieces and nephews: Linda Gail Martin, David Lee Fletcher, Lori Michelle Slusher, Jennifer Ann Gentry-Mink, Becki Lynn Gentry-Maiden and Brian David Gentry, along with a whole host of great nieces and nephews. As kids, Mark and his brother David were often referred to as “The Gentry Boys” (a designation still very much in use today), and ran around and made a whole mess of trouble for themselves. Jim and David were some of Mark’s closest friends until their deaths in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Mark graduated from Middlesboro High School in 1963, where he played drums in the band and was on the staff of the school yearbook. Out of high school, he took his first job working in layout at The Middlesboro Daily News for several years. Soon after, he met the love of his life, Julia Ann “Judy” Rowlett. They were married in 1968, and briefly moved to Atlanta, Georgia. There, Mark worked in layout at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After about a year in Atlanta, the two decided it was not the place for them, and they moved back home to Middlesboro. It was there that Mark worked briefly at The Pineville Sun, before returning to his job working in the layout room at the Daily News. He remained employed there for a combined 44 years as a Layout Designer, Production Manager and eventually Computer Systems Manager. In 1970, Mark and Judy had their one and only child, Christopher Edward Gentry, who they loved and cherished very much. Chris was Mark’s best friend, and they shared so many wonderful memories together. In 2003 and 2006, Mark received two grandchildren, Pierce Edward Gentry and Mary Katherine Fay Gentry. He retired from the Daily News in 2008. Not long after, in 2010, Mark and Judy moved to Knoxville, Tenn. to be closer to their family. It was there that Mark dutifully cared for his wife for many years as her health declined. Throughout their retirement he served as her full-time caretaker and nurturer until the very end, when she passed in 2021. One of Mark’s most admirable traits was his selflessness. He always put others first. Even as he cared for his ailing wife, he also picked up his grandchildren from school each day for several years, and kept them at his home until Chris and Becky got off work. He never once complained. Regardless of how he was really feeling, when asked how he was, Mark would inevitably always smile and reply with, “just swell.” He loved life, and loved living. Shumate Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements; a graveside service will be held for Mark’s family and friends at Green Hills Memorial Gardens at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, the Rev. Mike Segers officiating. Mark Gentry 1944-2024