Gentry B. Eaves, Sr.

Mr. Gentry Bartlett Eaves, Sr., passed away June 15, 2002, at Parkland Health Center, Farmington, at the age of 91 years, 9 months & 8 days. Gentry was born Sept. 7, 1910, in Licking, MO., to Melvin Lee Eaves & Henrietta 'Kirk' Eaves. He was also preceded-in-death by his wife, Ida Esther 'Woods' Eaves, (March 1993); 1 Sister, Lillian Mund & 4 Brothers: Melvin; Dell; Luther & Milford. He was a member of Farmington 1st Baptist Church & member of the Sr. Men's Bowling League. SURVIVORS INCLUDE : SONS - Kenneth F. Eaves, Seattle, WA; Gentry (& Martha) Eaves, Farmington; Mike (& Nancy) Eaves, Farmington. DAUGHTER: Patricia (& Royce) Sykes, Arnold, MO; SISTER: Lenna Stevens, St. Louis. Also, 11 Grandchildren & 14 Great-Grandchildren. Visitation starts Thurs., 5 pm; resumes Fri., 7 am at TAYLOR Funeral Service CHAPEL, Farmington. Funeral Fri., 1 pm, June 21, 2002, at Farmington 1st Baptist Church with Dr. William C. Miller officiating, assisted by Rev. Dino Pacilli & Rev. Larry Johnson. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Leadington, MO. Memorials may be made to: Delassus Baptist Church Building Fund. To the family, he was known as "Papa Gentry," but to those who didn't know his name, he was known as "Mr. Wavey, the old man who would wave to everyone," or "that guy who waves all the time." He loved to get up early and see the sun rise as he was walking. These last years he would get up later because of his health & ability to see in the dim light. He would wave at everyone. He would always tell us "If I wave & I can make one person smile -or- make their day brighter by waving, then I have done my job." If you walked by Papa Gentry you would get a "Hi" -or- he would always give little children a "High Five." Papa Gentry was a Christian & as a Christian he felt he should spread the word of God everywhere he went. What better way than through a friendly wave & gentle smile. Saturday, June 15th, at 7:30 am, Papa Gentry was walking along North 'A' Street. He had just stopped & talked to some people & given them his wave. As he left their yard to walk down the street he fell striking his head & died. But, he died doing what pleased him the most. "Making people happy!" Please pass along the wave of love.