Obituary of Hillard Shadow Gentry

Hillard Shadow Gentry, son of George W. Gentry and Arrie Conley Gentry, was born in Madison, North Carolina, August 24, 1941. He later moved to Greenville Tennessee. He departed this life August 16, 2019 at the age of seventy-seven, in his home near Richland, Missouri with Michele Brown at his side. Michele was a like a daughter to Shadow whom he thought the world of.

In April 1999, he was united in marriage to Carollyn Gentry. Married in Illinois before moving to their home in Richland, MO. They enjoyed many years together. Shadow loved to sing to Carollyn, take her dancing in their spare time and spending time with their dogs Dutchess, and Katy.

Shadow is survived by his wife; Carollyn, son Hillard Shadow Gentry Jr., stepson Dennis Finley, two sisters whom he adored; Laura Mundy, and Bonnie Gentry, a number of nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; George and Arrie Gentry, one brother, and one sister.

Shadow was a proud veteran of the U.S.  Army who served many years, and a member of the VFW and Sheriff’s Association. He worked for many years in the maintenance department at the University of Illinois, where he retired. Shadow spent much of his time, sharing jokes and good conversation with friends at the VFW in Richland, and having lunch at the Senior Center in Stoutland.  He could put a smile on your face even on the worst of days with his witty sense of humor. Shadow cared for everyone he ran across and did not know a stranger. Even his last hours he was sharing his sense of humor; “Did you hear the news...? UPS and Fed-Ex are merging, they are going to call it FED-UP.”

Shadow was best known as the ‘guitar man’, he loved to play music. He played the guitar, banjo and piano, he was also proud to sing to anyone who would listen.

Shadow was loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.

A Celebration of Shadow’s life will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, August 23, 2019 in Hedges-Scott Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.

Interment will be held at a later date, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Leonard Wood, in Waynesville, Missouri.