Gentry Stanley

Gentry Stanley, age 77, passed away February 1, 2021, at 9:13pm in the ICU at Mercy Gilbert Hospital, in Gilbert, Arizona, after a month-long battle with COVID-19.  Gentry’s final moments were spent in the loving arms of his wife of 38 years, Vicki.

Gentry was born in Texarkana, Arkansas May 1, 1943.  Gentry had 11 siblings and grew up in Okeechobee, Florida.  After graduating High School in 1962, he went on to earn his Associate of Arts degree at Florida Military College before joining the Army in 1964.  During his time in the military, he received the National Defense Service Medal for serving honorably during the Vietnam War.  He was later honorably discharged so he could continue pursuing higher education.  Gentry went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in 1969 (Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD) and his Master of Arts in History in 1971 (University of South Dakota Graduate School).

Throughout his professional life, Gentry became a successful and accomplished businessman, entrepreneur, minister, mentor, consultant, and public speaker.  In 1998 Gentry set the Guinness World Record as the first person to traverse the North American continent on a three-wheeled human powered vehicle, peddling his Windcheetah recumbent tricycle 3029 miles.  In his retirement, he spent his days surrounded by his family and pursuing his hobbies.  He loved riding his recumbent tricycle, swimming, fly fishing, and investing his time and energy into his grandchildren and loved ones.  Gentry never took his time on earth for granted and his legacy will live on in the hearts of many. Every moment of every day was an intentional action that moved him in a positive direction towards his goals. And those goals were always centered around serving, protecting, mentoring, and providing for others. He had a servant’s heart and was a role model for so many.  He never missed a moment to tell us how much he loved us “With his whole heart and sooooo much more”! He took time to praise us, to speak life into us. He infused us with his wisdom, insight, greatness, goodness and love for His Savior. Pointing us to the Author and Finisher of our faith our precious Heavenly Father. Grateful to have the truths of our powerful loving Savior during this painful time. We love you Papa Gentry, thank you for showing us the path of Jesus, the love of Christ, so we can say, not “good-bye”, but see you soon! We miss you!

“Time is the one commodity that once it is spent, you can never get any more of it.” -Gentry Stanley

Gentry is survived by his wife, Vicki, children Gentry Stanley, Mark (Jennifer) Stanley, Montana (Kaila) Stanley, Micah Stanley, Ryan Stanley, Savannah Stanley (Jon Leonardo) and grandchildren Trinity, Tristan, and Anna, and many more extended family members. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Anita Barbara Prillwitz Stanley.

A Celebration of Life service is being held at Sun Valley Community Church, Queen Creek, Arizona on Saturday, February 6^th, 2021 at 1:00pm.  His final resting place will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, in Phoenix, Arizona.  In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in Gentry’s honor to Sun Valley CARE Fund, 20271 South Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142. https://pushpay.com/g/sunvalleygiving

*Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, attendance to the memorial and reception is RSVP only.