James “Jim” Walter Gentry, Jr. died at his home Tuesday, February 10, 2015.
He was born on July 28, 1928, in McMinnville, Tn., to James Walter and Dorthy Dews Gentry. They later moved to Chattanooga where Jim attended Baylor School, after which he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of the South. He began law school at the University of North Carolina but later withdrew to join the Marine Corps. He was deployed to Korea where he was wounded in 1952. Once released from the Naval Hospital in Millington, Tn., he attended Vanderbilt Law School where he received his law degree in 1956. While at Vanderbilt, Jim met Margaret (“Peggy”) Anderson of Memphis, whom he married in 1955.
Jim and Peggy moved to Chattanooga where he joined the firm of Spears, Moore, Rebman & Williams, later moving to Witt, Gaither, Abernathy and Wilson. In 1974, Jim formed Gentry and Boehm. The firm specialized in the practice of environmental law and, over the years, successfully represented many local, national and international businesses. The first edition of “The Best Lawyers in America” listed Jim as an expert in environmental and natural resources law, and he continued to be ranked within the list each year throughout the course of his career. Gentry and Boehm was dissolved in 1991, at which time Jim rejoined Spears, Moore, Rebman & Williams where he remained until his retirement.
Jim was a member of the Chattanooga Bar, Tennessee Bar and American Bar Associations. He was also admitted to practice before the United States District Court of Tennessee, Arkansas and the District of Columbia, as well as the Sixth and Eight Circuit Courts of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Jim loved his family and friends, the United States Marine Corps, bone fishing and playing golf. He also shared a special love for his alma mater, Sewanee, where he and Peggy established a scholarship fund.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Anderson Gentry, as well as his children, James Walter Gentry III; Leland Gentry (Steve) Arnsdorff; Robert Anderson Gentry; Benjamin Clayton (Jennie) Gentry; his grandchildren, Will Gentry and Lili Arnsdorff; his sister, Medora (Larry) Willmore and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James W. and Margaret A. Gentry scholarship at the University of the South, Hospice of Chattanooga or M. D. Anderson Cancer Research Hospital.
The private service will offer full military honors.