Brother Richard Gentry

Richard Lee Gentry, 73, husband of Diana Gentry left his earthy home and went to his heavenly home on Monday, June 22, 2020. He was the son of the late Australia and Mary Gentry. His earthly existence will missed so much by his wife Diana Murray Gentry, his children Melvin Gentry(Joseph Anderson), Richelle Gentry-Flemons. His grandchildren Maiyah and Kamron, blended loving family, Lisa Duvall, Charisse (Bernie) Lyle, Dietrich (Diane) Murray. Host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins Lula Turner, Betty Collins, Michael Smith, Marvin, Cromwell Gentry. Many friends and especially his Alpha Kappa Psi brothers. He was a faithful member and ordained Elder at East Second Street Christian Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Donald K Gillett Il. Richard attended Tennessee State University on a music scholarship where he played drums in the Marching Aristocrats Band and graduated with a BS in Political Science. He was a 1966 initiate of the Alpha Theta (None Greata) Chapter. He then attended the University of Kentucky School of Law where he earned his Law Degree (Juris Doctor) in 1973. With plans to put his fluency in French to use, Richard joined the United States Department of State Diplomatic Corp as a Foreign Service Officer assigned to the US Consulate General in Toronto Ontario and was the youngest African-American to hold this position. Richard continued his work with the US State Department until his return to Lexington in 1981. Before his retirement he worked for the Commonwealth of Kentucky as an Unemployment Appeals Referee and Disputed Claims Investigator. Richard was loved and respected by many. He was active in organizations such as the NAACP, BUILD, The Kentucky Colonels and loved being part of the “ Men In Christ Community Choir”. Richard along with several of his Kappa Alpha Psi brothers organized the first Kappa Alpha Psi chapter at the University of Kentucky. Visitation will be held at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home located at 3421 Harrodsburg Rd. Lexington, Ky 40515 time for visitation will be 11:30 am until 12:30 pm. Service immediately following but regrettably due to the COVID-19, the service will be private. Everyone attending are asked to please wear masks.