James Walter Gentry III
LTC (R) James Walter Gentry III, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. National Guard, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, after a long illness.
Jamie was the eldest son of James Walter Gentry, Jr. and Margaret Anderson Gentry. He was born and raised in Chattanooga, where he attended Baylor School, and later graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
Following his graduation from the Citadel, Jamie became an officer in the U.S. Army, where he served in both the U.S. and Europe. After retiring from the army, he began his work with the Tennessee National Guard serving 34 years total in both services. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Jamie is survived by his wife, Joni DiPatri-Gentry, his son William Todd (Brittani) Gentry, and siblings Leland Gentry (Steve) Arnsdorff, Robert Anderson Gentry and Benjamin Clayton (Jennie) Gentry. Special mention to Pearl Bell, Vern Bell, and Stephanie Owen as additional important people in his life.
Jamie's loved ones will remember him as a generous, kind, and fun-loving man who enjoyed fly fishing, military miniature-war games, and history. He was especially well-versed in his family history and shared many colorful and interesting anecdotal stories at family gatherings.
Visitation will be held at Hamilton Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 20, from 12-1 p.m. A graveside service honoring the life of Jamie will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Citadel Foundation in memory of James W. Gentry, III designated to the Citadel Appalachian scholarship, which he established, or a charity of your choice.
Please visit his online obituary to share memories with the family at https://www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com/obituary/james-jamie-gentry-iii
Arrangements are entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37434, 423 531-3965.