Robert Gentry Dies

Respected racing horseman Robert "Bob" Gentry dies.

By Q-Racing Journal
The American Quarter Horse Association
January 8, 2013

Robert “Bob” Gentry, 81, died January 7. Services will be held Friday, January 11, at 2 p.m. at the Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rix Funeral Directors in Lubbock. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to the charity of your choice.

Bob was born July 2, 1931, in Slaton, Texas, to Bruce E. Gentry Sr., and Freda Chauncey Gentry. Bob and his brother, Bruce, were raised in the agriculture industry. Both attended what is now Texas Tech University. They became business partners after Bruce returned from serving during World War II. The Gentry Bros. raised cattle, crops and horses, in addition to being involved in oil and operating a beer distributorship. Bruce died in 2000.

The Gentry brothers were part of the group that in the 1960s bought the Haymaker Sale Co. in Oklahoma City and reincarnated it into what is now Heritage Place. Bob served as an AQHA Director before becoming a director-at-large in 1996. He also served on the AQHA Racing Committee during his tenure on AQHA's Board. He was active in Texas racing, including the push for pari-mutuel racing, and earned the AQHA Racing Council Special Recognition award in 2003.

Gentry Bros. raised horses for more than 30 years and are one of the sport’s all-time leading breeders with their horses earning more than $5.6 million. Bob was a 40-year breeder in his own name. In his own name, he bred horses that won 183 of 1,232 starts, with earnings of more than $3.2 million. He raced 114 winners from 642 starters, with earnings of more than $2.6 million. Among the great horses he bred raced are champions Deelish ($604,153) and Cash Legacy ($263,871) and Grade 1 winner Flomont ($286,213). He also bred champion Fredricksburg ($369,304).

The brothers also raised Thoroughbreds, and were known for outcrossing their Quarter Horses on Thoroughbreds.

The brothers together raised many great horses, including the produce of Zipp Zoro, who produced standouts Zip Dash ($211,522), Zipuino ($230,080) and Fodice ($119,841) and whose family includes champion Okey Dokey Fantasy ($576,521) and Fovee ($380,385). They also bred Easy Kiss ($101,022), the dam of Such An Easy Effort ($496,127). Such An Easy Effort produced Deelish, dam of Deeheiress ($127,057) and Da Edge ($117,076); and Fearless Freda ($262,121), the dam of Fredricksburg, Dasha Freda ($111,741), Fearless Fritz ($100,085) and Fredaville.

Both the Gentry-owned and -raced aged mare Fredaville ($325,321) and Gentry-bred distance horse Rollickin Red ($233,602) are nominated for 2012 champion awards, which will be announced January 16.

He is survived by three children: daughters, LaDanna Gentry of Lubbock and Robbi Force and her husband, Stuart, of Charleston, South Carolina, and son, Kirk Gentry and his wife, Cynthia, of Lubbock.

Bob is also survived by four grandchildren: Kristen and Taylor Force, and Maile and Chase Gentry; and former wife, Johnnie Sue Corcorran of Lubbock.