James Walter Gentry

James W. Gentry, PH.D., 72, of Norman, OK, passed away on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012 at Norman Regional Hospital in Norman, OK. He was born on November 27th, 1939 in Hobart, OK to J. Bryan and Juanita (Davis) Gentry. Jim attended Hobart Public Schools all of his life and graduated in 1957 from Hobart High School. He graduated with honors from Oklahoma State University in 1961 with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. At Oklahoma State University he was a member of the four person General Electric College Bowl team which appeared on live national television. He was selected for one of the first Fulbright Scholarships won by a student at Oklahoma State University and he attended and graduated from the University of Birmingham, England where he received his Master of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He subsequently attended the University of California at Berkley and the University of Texas in Austin and in 1969 was awarded a PH.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas.

He was hired that year as a Professor at the University of Maryland and served on their Chemical Engineering faculty from 1969 to 2002 when he retired and moved back to Norman, Oklahoma.

He was a professor and researcher for the University of Maryland and received a number of teaching and research awards.

He has received many honors as an international expert in study of aerosols. He was selected as a Fellow by the Washington Academy of Science and awarded Sigma XI Research Award at the University of Maryland in 1994. He was also selected as a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 1993.

In 2000 he was chosen as the recipient of the prestigious David Sinclair Award for his sustained and outstanding work in aerosol research and technology.

He was a member of McFarlin Methodist Church, Norman, Oklahoma. He loved trivia and was a member of Team Hobart, a team of former Hobart students who enjoyed taking part in an annual sports trivia bowl in Norman, Oklahoma. He was a loving and caring brother and uncle who lived under difficult circumstances for the last years of his life but did it with courage and example to the family he loved.

He is survived by his brother William E. Gentry and wife, Susan, Hobart, OK
nephews, J. Bradley Gentry, Topeka, KS
J. Matt Gentry, Tulsa, OK
Wes Gentry, Denver, CO
nieces, Renee Morlan, Denver, CO
Allison Gentry, Denver, CO
Janna Gentry, Norman, OK
great-nephews and nieces, Evie Gentry, Will Morlan, Charlotte Gentry, Ian Morlan, Walter Gentry, Bianca Gentry, Beckett Morlan, George Gentry, James Gentry, and Henry Gentry
first cousins, Mary Lou Perkey and Patsy Holliday
special friends, Ed and Lena Frost and Ben and Jeanette Newcomer, both of Norman, OK and Tom Morgan and wife, Earlene, Moore, OK

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Family will be greeting friends 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012 at Havenbrook Funeral Home, Norman, OK.

Funeral Services: 10 a.m., Thursday, October 4th, 2012 at Havenbrook Funeral Home, Norman, OK.

Graveside Services: 4 p.m., Thursday, at Hobart Rose Cemetery in Hobart, OK.

Under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman, OK and Ray and Martha's Funeral Home of Hobart

Online condolences can be made at rayandmarthas.com

Memorials can be made to Hobart Educational Enrichment Foundation c/o Hobart Public Schools for the James W. Gentry Academic Scholarships.