TORRINGTON – Lawrence Wayne Gentry (affectionately known as “LWG”), 78, died Thursday, December 29, 2022. In his final months of life, Wayne courageously faced a fast-moving cancer that had not been detected. Surrounded by his beloved family and friends, he peacefully passed as a believer in Jesus Christ seeking an eternal paradise.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, January 2, at the First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church with Reverend Diane Carleton officiating. The casket will be open prior to services at the church. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you instead give a memorial to the Torrington Rotary Club for their new community project and/or All Saints Episcopal Church in Wayne’s name.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send their condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com .
Wayne was born July 6, 1944, in St. Charles, Missouri, to Lawrence Leroy Gentry “Shorty” and Stella Iola Gentry. He was the youngest of two children, Billie Jean Simon was his older sister. He was baptized and confirmed in the First Federated Church located in Mitchell, Nebraska. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1962. He attended Chadron State earning a Bachelors, and a Master’s degree from the University of Wyoming.
On August 5, 1967, he married Lanette “Lanny” Janean Gentry (Beermann). Together they had three beloved children: Travis Wayne Gentry (wife Tammy), Tyler Wade Gentry (wife Christina), and Layne Gentry Martin (husband Harold). Wayne had nine grandchildren and one great grandchild: (Travis’ - Asher, Ella, Avery; Tyler’s - Ava, Alayna, Mikayla, Rayne, Tate and Lilah Rae; and Layne’s - Blake and Brayce).
Being an Episcopalian was an important priority in Wayne’s life to discover and build his faith. He loved his connections with the congregation of All Saints, and the Torrington community at large. He was an active and loyal Rotarian living by their four-way test:
Wayne invested 31 years of his life as Torrington High School’s Assistant Principal. He pridefully led (and disciplined) generations of Trailblazers.
A long retirement was fitting for him where he would keep a full social calendar, playing pool with “the boys”, having breakfast with friends, and pursuing his hobbies. He obsessively followed St. Louis Cardinals baseball, spending hours watching almost every game of the season. He also never missed an invitation to dance! His favorite activity was traveling and visiting his children and grandkids in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, generously being Grandpa Gentry.
