Ronald Neal Gentry

Born on September 13, 1950 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Passed on August 8, 2025 in Altamonte Springs, Florida

Ronald Neal Gentry
September 13, 1950 – August 8, 2025

Ronald Neal Gentry — affectionately known as Dad, Grandpa, and Papa — entered eternal rest on August 8, 2025, in Altamonte Springs, Florida, at the age of seventy-four.

Ron courageously faced and overcame various life-threatening illnesses over the past 15 years, including late-stage dementia, meeting each challenge with remarkable strength, humor, and grace.

Born on September 13, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ron was the beloved son of Alvin and Lois Gentry. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: his younger sister, Dianne Gentry, who passed at age 17, and his older sister, Sharron Gentry, who passed at age 33.
Ron grew up attending West Morris Street Free Methodist Church, cherishing time with his cousin, Bradly Black, and his beloved Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Joe. In 1970, he proudly enlisted in the Army National Guard. Following his military service, he built a long and successful career in management within the international freight forwarding industry.

Ron was married to Elaine Cavanaugh for 16 years and to Maria Ferreira Lima for 11 years. He was a devoted and loving father to his five daughters: Michelle Brownewell, Pamela Gentry, Aline Monteiro, Lisa Gentry, and Megan Workman. His greatest joy was his family, and he poured his time, resources, and love into them.

He is survived by 17 grandchildren — David, Robert, Aiden, Adrian, Derek Jr., Juliues, Mahliya, Ardae, Romeo, Shanell, Thomas, Benjamin, Ronnie (Hart), Nash, Sullivan, Lettie, and Colsen — and four great-grandchildren: Leo, Phoenix, Oakley, and Delilah, with another, Esme, soon to arrive.
Ron will be remembered for his giving spirit, compassion, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to his loved ones. He was blessed with wonderful Christian parents and a loving family who prayed for his salvation for over 50 years, Ron accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized in January 2025. He was not a perfect man, but his actions and values often reflected the love of Jesus and with this decision he accepted the gift of eternal life for himself.

The viewing for family and friends will be on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:00 a.m., at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home, 1010 E. Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne, Florida. A committal service with military honors will take place at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. The family welcomes all who knew and loved Ron to attend. If you have memories or photographs to share, please email them to [email protected].

We love you and we will miss you, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa, more than words can express. Until we meet again, may you rest in peace

Guestbook Entry

 
 
 
 
 
 
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3 entries.
ANITA LEKARE from MEXICO CITY wrote on August 14, 2025:
It has been +40 years since we first met, so much laughter over the years, so much love and friendship, so many songs we listened to. You were always special to me and I will keep you in a special place in my heart always. I know you are in peace now, very well deserved, I will remember you always.
Megan Gentry from Leesburg wrote on August 14, 2025:
I owe you so much daddy. You are my forever hero and I don’t know how I am supposed to do life without you. I can’t imagine not being able to drive over and hug you and talk to you about how crazy my kiddos are driving me or how our lives are going. It is tearing me apart that I will never see your face light up again when me and the kids walk in the room and they give you all their hugs. I don’t want to let go but I have no choice. I know you are no longer in pain and I am holding onto that with all of my heart. I know how much you loved all of us and how much you didn’t want to let us go but we will get through this somehow daddy even though it feels impossible. I hope you are happy and in peace with all your loved ones in heaven. I hope you recognized and are holding my sweet Calla girl. I will see you again one day and you will always be in my heart and within our entire families spirit. I love you Dad.
Lisa Gentry from Woodlawn wrote on August 12, 2025:
I miss you so much already daddy. No words can express how much I will miss calling and hearing your voice. How much I want to hug you one more time, tell you that I love you, one more time. How much I want my children to know how big your heart was. Daddy, I will try my hardest to raise them in a way that will make you proud. I know one day we will be together again and I hope my heart is able to heal because this pain, pain of losing you, has been the hardest thing I've had to do. I love you daddy always and forever. Your daughter, Lisa Marie