Robert Perry Sanders, III

Robert married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living
3. Living

Notes:

Corpus Christi Caller-Times (online)

Robert P. Sanders, Jr., 87, passed away Thursday, February 22, 2001. He was born on September 9, 1913 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Electa Smith Sanders & Robert Perry Sanders Sr.

Bob served with the Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas from 1941 to 1945. He went on to work for the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, from which he retired in 1985. He was instrumental in founding a men's recovery home known as the Texas House in Houston, Texas in 1965. He served on the Board of Directors in 1973, became the Chairman of Board in 1997, and was named Honorary Chairman of the Board for life in 1998.

Prior to moving to Corpus Christi a year ago, he resided in Pearland, Texas. His son Robert P. "Bob" Sanders III preceded Bob in death. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marie Gentry Sanders; daughter-in-law, Ann Sanders of Austin, Texas; son Phil (Patricia) Sanders Sr. of Kingman, Arizona; daughter Yolanda (Rick) Hobbs of Corpus Christi, Texas; four grandsons: Rob (Mel) Sanders, Steve Sanders, and Phil Sanders, Jr. all of Austin, Texas and Adam Stoner of Corpus Christi, Texas, three granddaughters: Suzanne (Mark) Vaughn of Austin, Texas, Desiree (Charlie) Hankins of San Antonio, and Sabra Thornburg of Phoenix, Arizona, four great-grandchildren: Clayton Thornburg, Zach Vaughn, Taylor Vaughn, and Charles Hankins; and a niece, Carmen Sewell of Houston, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 28, 2001 at Seaside Memorial Chapel. Visitation will begin one hour earlier. Interment will be at the Duncan Cemetery in Duncan, Oklahoma. Memorials may be made to the Texas House, 2208 West 34th St., Houston, Texas 77018.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Robert married Myrtis Marie Gentry. Myrtis (daughter of Arthur Lemoyne "Al" Gentry and Myrtis Burch) was born on 8 Dec 1917 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 3 Apr 2008 in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Personal Mention (14 December 1917 DUNCAN BANNER)

"Assistant Postmaster and Mrs. Gentry are entertaining a fine girl at their home, the little miss making her appearance Saturday." (Note: This article refers to Arthur Lamoyn Gentry and wife Myrtis Burch Gentry, parents of Myrtis Marie Gentry. She was born December 8, 1917).

Obituary
M. Marie Gentry Sanders
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas ? Former Duncan, Okla., resident M. Marie Gentry Sanders, 90, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2008, in Corpus Christi.Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, April 18, in Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel in Duncan with Dr. Scott Fenton presiding. Inurnment will be in Duncan Cemetery. There is no visitation at the funeral home.Marie was born Dec. 8, 1917, in Duncan, to Arthur L. and Myrtis Gentry. She grew up in Duncan, and married her high school sweetheart, Bob Sanders. After raising three children, she and Bob moved to Houston and then to Pearland, Texas. Marie retired from the Houston Shriners Hospital for Children in 1990 after 23 years of dedicated service as the director of building services.Survivors include a son, Phil Sanders Sr. and wife, Patricia, of Kingman, Ariz.; a daughter, Yolanda Hobbs and husband, Rick, of Corpus Christi; a daughter-in-law, Ann Sanders of Austin, Texas; four grandsons: Rob Sanders and wife, Melanie, Steve Sanders, and Phil Sanders Jr. and wife, Teresa, all of Austin, and Adam Stoner of Corpus Christi; three granddaughters: Suzanne Vaughan and husband, Mark, of Austin, Desiree Hankins and husband, Charlie, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sabra Thornburg of Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters: Mary Helen Newton and husband, Leland, of Ada, Okla., and Dorothy Jeanne Eldridge of Shreveport, La.; and five great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 65 years, Robert P. Sanders Jr.; a son, Robert P. Sanders III; and a brother, James E. Gentry.

Published in The Duncan Banner from 4/16/2008 - 4/18/2008

A nearly identical obituary was also published in the Corpus Christi Caller Times. The Corpus Christi paper further reported that a memorial service was to be hald at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at the Memorial Funeral Home, Holly chapel, and that interment would be held at a later date at Duncan Cemetery, Duncan, Oklahoma.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Notes:

Duncan Banner

Veteran City Employe Dies

Robert Perry Sanders, 85, oldest City of Duncan employe, in years or service, and in age, died at his home, 1209 Sycamore, at 9:30 a.m. today.

Sanders went to work for the City February 12, 1911, nearly 46 years ago. He was in charge of the municipal electric power plant for several years and then took charge of the water department.

Sanders remained with the municipal water department until his death. He carried a record "in his mind" of the location of many of the water and sewer line locations in Duncan.

He was born December 17, 1870, at Corinth, Miss., and moved to Duncan in 1908 from Fannin county, Tex. He had been in ill health for the past year.

Funeral is tentatively set for Friday at the Calvary Baptist Church. Burial will be in Duncan Cemetery under direction of Brooks-Rangely Funeral Home.

He is survived by three daughters, a son, a sister, five grandchildren, and a great grandchild.

Daughters are Mrs. George C. Thompson, 1205 Cedar; Mrs. Paul Jones, Cemetery Road; and Ethel Sanders of the home. The son if Robert P. Sanders, Jr., Lubbock, Tex., Mrs. Annie Brown, El Monte, Calif. is the sister.


(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 census Stephens Co. OK ED 248 Pg. 96A
/281 Sanders, R. P., head, MW, 49, M, MS TN MS
Lecta, wife, FW, 39, M, AL MS AL
Ethel, dau., FW, 18, TX MS AL
Beatrice, dau., FW, 15, TX MS AL
Clara May, dau., FW, 13, TX MS AL
Robert, son, MW, 6, OK MS AL

1930 census Stephens Co. OK ED 69-12 Pg. 81B & 82A
Duncan city-King twp.
149/155 Sanders, R. P., head, MW, 59, Wd., TN TN TN
Ethel, dau., FW, 28, S, TX TN AL
Clara, dau., FW, 23, S, TX TN AL
Robert, son, MW, 16, OK TN AL

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Robert married Electa Smith about 1900. Electa was born about 1880 in Chulafinnee, Cleburne County, Alabama; died on 27 Jul 1928 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Duncan Daily Banner

Friday, July 27, 1928

Wife of Employe of the City is Dead

Mrs. Perry Sanders Leaves Three Daughters, One Son and Her Husband

From Monday's Daily Banner

Mary Eceltra Sanders, 48 years old, died at her home, 308 Main street, Sunday night. Funeral services will be held at 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the First Baptist church, with the Rev. T. P. Haskins officiating.

Mrs. Sanders leaves three daughters, Ethel, Clara May and Mrs. George Thompson, and one son, Robert, in addition to her husband, who is an employe of the city. Mrs. S. E. Dick, of Duncan, her mother, also survives.

She married Perry Sanders in 1900 in Texas and the couple have made their home in Duncan for the last 20 years. She was born at Chulifena Center, Ala. in 1880.

Mrs. J. M. Peters of Chickasha and Mrs. L. Barnett of Duncan are Roy Dick and Lee Dick of Duncan are half brothers.

The funeral service will be held at the Baptist church.

(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell, who typed this exactly as was printed in the newspaper).

Notes:

Arthur was called "Al" by a lot of people in Duncan because of his initials A.L. Lyn Cordell writes that on his World War I Draft registration, his middle name is listed as Lemoyne. Arthur lived at 305 South 7th. in Duncan for years. He taught at the Arthur School, east of Duncan and then started work at the Duncan Post Office. He became Assistant Postmaster by his retirement. He didn't live for too long after his retirement and died just after they moved to a new house.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Arthur Lemoyne Gentry
City: Duncan
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Oklahoma;United States of America
Birth Date: 03 Aug 1892
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1852128
Occupation: Postal Clerk, Duncan Post Office
Nearest Relative: wife and one child
Height/Build: Tall/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/brown
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Delbert Gentry
City: Arthur, OK
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Alma, Oklahoma; United States of America
Birth Date: 05 Oct 1893
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1852128
Occupation: Farming
Married or Single: Single
Height/Build: Tall/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Gray/light
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Jess Newton Gentry
City: Arthur
County: Stephens
State: Oklahoma
Birthplace: Alma, Oklahoma; United States of America
Birth Date: 07 Sep 1896
Roll: 1852128
Next of Kin: James Edwin Gentry, father. Arthur, OK
Height/Build: Tall/Medium
Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/Brown




The Duncan Eagle-Jan. 5, 1961 Al Gentry Dies Here Monday

A familiar face will be missing from the scene at the Duncan Post Office following the death of assistant Postmaster Arthur L. (Al) Gentry, 305 South 7th, early Monday morning in a local hospital. Death came following two heart attacks last week. He suffered his first attack early Saturday morning after reporting to work on his 46th anniversary of employment with the Post Office Department. His condition became critical after a second attack Saturday afternoon. The service was held Wednesday at the First Christian Church. Burial was in the Duncan Cemetery by the Brooks Funeral Home. Gentry was born in Alma, August 3, 1892 and later taught school there. He served as assistant postmaster since January 12, 1957.Gentry held every office in the local Independent Order of Oddfellows Lodge and several appointive offices in the grand lodge. He also was an elder in the First Christian Church. Survivors are the widow, Myrtis Burch Gentry of the home, who he married April 15, 1913 at Velma. Also a son, James E. Gentry of Wichita Falls, Tex.; three daughters, Mrs. Robert P. Sanders of Pasadena, Tex.; Mrs Roy L. Winters of Ada and Mrs. James Eldridge of Ruston, La. Also four brothers, Loyd R. Gentry of Oklahoma City, Delbert Gentry, 516 Pine; Jess Gentry, 802 Sycamore, and Elmer Gentry, who lives on West Main in Duncan. Also two sisters, Mrs. Richard Meeks, 704 North 2nd, and Mrs. T. N. Goodwin of Belle, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

(Research):
Census Information:

1930 census
Stephens Co. OK 305 So. 7th
187/210
Gentry, A.L., MW 37 M 20 OK TX TN
Myrtis, wife FW 34 M 17 TX AR MS
James, son MW 14 S OK OK TX
Marie, dau. FW 12 S OK OK TX
Mary H., dau. FW 10 S OK OK TX
Dorothy, dau. FW 6 OK OK TX

Arthur married Myrtis Burch on 15 Apr 1913 in Velma, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Myrtis was born on 19 Jul 1895 in Garland, Dallas County, Texas; died on 22 Apr 1998 in Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Daughter of Michael Mathis BURCH and Mary Eloise NASH. Third of five girls in a family of eight. Moved with her family to Duncan, OK, at the age of one.

Homer Strong recounts a story about driving by her home one day, when she was about 90 years old. She was on the roof, removing shingles. He was worried about her, but knew that once she was determined to do something, there was no stopping her. So instead of chiding her for attempting a dangerous task on her own, he suggested they have a pot of coffee and visit. Myrtis dearly loved her coffee. While she was occupied making the coffee, Homer called her son James, and explained the situation. James knew his mothers temperament as well. Within just a few hours, James, his son, and a crew were at her home, and they finished the job. Both James and Homer knew that once Homer left, nothing but that would have stopped her from finishing the job on her own.

Newspaper cutting from 1995 relating to her 100th birthday celebrations in files of Lynell Gentry and Kenneth C. Harvey. At the age of one hundred years, her living relatives (descendants) were; Four (4) children Eleven (11) grandchildren Twenty Seven (27) great-grandchildren Three (3) great-great grandchildren

At that time she was living at the Ada Baptist Village, Ada, Oklahoma. This is a 50-unit apartment complex for adults more than 55 years of age, owned and operated by Baptist Retirement Centres of Oklahoma.

Notes:

Lynell Gentry notes that her father, the youngest son of James and Zada Gentry, "talked about living in Wise Co. Texas, when he was a youngster. That was probably between Dera's birth in 1899 and Elmer's in 1901. Bessie told Anna Laura that they came across the Red River to Oklahoma on New Year's Day 1900 and lived in Grady Co. before settling in Stephens Co. Although on the 1900 census they are at Township 2SR3W, the same as Zada's mother and unmarried siblings. That location is around Alma, Oklahoma, where my Dad [Delbert] said he was born in 1893. Zada's father died there in 1899 and is buried near John M. and Pamelia Gentry in the Alma Cemetery."

Ken Harvey notes that in 1900 "We find four young unidentified Gentrys '[second] cousins [of Ed & Zada's children?]' living with Ed and Zada during the census of Indian Territory in 1900 and as a result they had to be enumerated there. They were presumably not on vacation as they were very young-perhaps their parents were starting to homestead in Indian Territory and were building their house having been there a few years. These youngsters were presumably the grandchildren of either James, Michael, Wesley or Abram-the sons of Preacher William Gentry.

We only know for certain that Wesley and Abram emigrated to Texas with the family. They could easily have been Wesley or Abram's grandchildren. They are Mollie, Stephen, Cubie and Addie. Assuming they are all siblings their unknown Gentry father was born in Texas and their mother was born in Kansas. In addition there was an unidentified fourteen year old nephew, Mayfield Ladd b. Mar. 1886 TX, who was presumably on a working vacation."

There were some Todd's in the area in 1900 but no Ladd's were found so it is not certain which name is correct.

In 1919 the couple bought about 160 acres of Stephens Co. land from Ed's nephew Franklin Melton Gentry and his wife. This was on Nov. 22nd. and the lands legal description was Sec. 4 1S 5W. (Book 103, Page 139, Stephens County Courthouse).

They sold this land to Bill Kirk in 1946 and moved to 2nd Street in Duncan.

J.E. Gentry's obituary, from THE DUNCAN EAGLE dated 19 January 1950 reads as follows:

"60 Year Resident of County, J.E. Gentry, Dies After Long Illness" Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon for James E. Gentry, 80, 704 North 2nd, who died in a local hospital Monday night after a long illness. Gentry had been a resident of this county for the past 60 years, having moved to Alma in 1889. He was born in Wise County, Texas [Lynell thinks this is an error*] in March, 1869. G. W. McCollum, Minister, conducted the rites as the West Main Church of Christ with Rev. Roy V. Harp of the First Christian Church assisting. Burial was in the Duncan Cemetery under the direction of Rangley-Holden Funeral Home.

Bearers were Bruce Ridley, V. K. McMasters, Jake Kirby, Gaylord Clark, M.E. Hitt and Bill Groppenbacher. Survivors include the widow Zada, five sons, A.L. of Duncan, Delbert of Duncan Route 3, Elmer and Jess of Duncan and Lloyd of Oklahoma City, three daughters, Ruth Gentry of the home address, Mrs. Bessie Payne of Oklahoma City, and Mrs. Dera Goodwin of Bell, California.

*Lynell noted that the 1860 and 1870 census records were in Johnson County, Texas, and she believes he was born there.

Ken Harvey further noted that he was known as Ed. He was a slow moving person.

(Research):Census Listings:

1900 census
Chickasaw Nation IT (Stephens Co. OK) ED 167 pg. 15 240/244
Jentry, J.E., Mar. 1869, 31, married 9, TX KY TN Farmer
Zadie, wife, Jan. 1875, 25, 6 children/6 living, KS TN KS
Arthur, son, Jun 1893, 7, IT
Delbert, son, Mar. 1894, 6, IT
Bessie, dau., Apr. 1896, 4, IT
Jesse, son, Apr. 1897, 3, IT
Deria, dau., Apr. 1899, 1, IT
Jentry, Mollie, cus., May 1896, 4, IT TX KS
Stephen, cus., Feb. 1897, 3, IT TX KS Cubie, cus, female, M
ar. 1897, 3, TX TX KS
Addie, cus., Feb. 1898, 2, IT, TX KS
Ladd?/Todd?, Mayfield, neph., Mar. 1886, 14, TX TN KS

1910 census
Grady Co. OK, Amber twn.,
ED 90 pg. 11 B
137/138
Jentry, James E., 41, married 20, TX KY KY
Elzada, 39, 7 children/7 living, KS TN TN
Arthur, son, 17, OK Delbert, son, 16, OK Bessie, dau., 14, OK Jesse, son, 13, OK
Dera, dau., 11, OK Elmer, son, 8, OK
Loyd, son, 1, OK

1920 census,
Stephens Co. OK, Parks twp.,
ED 250 pg. 14B.
Gentry, James E., 50, TX TN TN
Zada, 49, KS TN TN
Delbert, son, 25, OK
Dera, dau. 20, OK
Elmer, son, 18, OK
Lloyd R., son, 9, OK
Ruth, dau., 7, OK

1930 census
Stephens Co. OK Parks Twp.,
ED 69-21 Sheet 3A
34/38
Gentry, James E., MW 61 M 21 TX TN TN
Zada, wife FW 59 M 19 KS MS MS
Jess N., son MW 33 S OK TX KS
Lloyd, son MW 21 S OK TX KS
Ruth, dau. FW 17 S OK TX KS

James married Elzada Trawick about 1891. Elzada (daughter of James Jackson Trawick and Elizabeth Lucinda Adams) was born on 6 Jan 1871 in Coffeyville, Montgomery County, Kansas; died on 23 Jan 1951 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ken Harvey writes that she was known as Zadie or Elzadie. Her family moved to Coffeyville, Kansas, shortly before she was born.

It was Zadie's habit, as with all the pioneers, to conserve water. She used to wash the dishes and disposing of that water she would then rinse them with fresh water. This rinse water was retained for the next dish washing. When piped water was installed Zadie continued her old routine for the rest of her life to the amusement of all.

Obituaries (Both courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

Duncan Eagle
Jan. 25, 1951

Mrs. Gentry, Pioneer Resident, Dies Tuesday

One of the first settlers of what is now Stephens County, Mrs. J. E. Gentry, 705 North 2nd, died Tuesday in a Duncan hospital after suffering a stroke last week. Mrs. Gentry, 80, had lived in Alma since 1889. She moved to Duncan several years ago.

Survivors include five sons, Arthur, Lee (sic), Elmer, Delbert, all of Duncan, and Lloyd of Oklahoma City; three daughters, Ruth Gentry of the home address; Mrs. Bessie Payne, Oklahoma City, and Mrs. Tolbert Goodwin of Bell, Calif.; a brother George Trawick of 705 Pecan; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Rennels of Carpenter, and Mrs. Susie McMinn, Merkle, Texas; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Daily Banner (Duncan Banner)
January 23, 1951

'89er Dies in Hospital Here

Mrs. J. E. Gentry of 704 North 2nd, died at 8 a.m. today in a Duncan hospital. She had suffered a stroke Friday. Mrs. Gentry 80, had been a resident of Alma and Duncan since 1889. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Rangeley-Holden Funeral Home. Survivors include 5 sons, 3 daughters, a brother, 2 sisters, 16 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. The sons are Arthur Gentry, 305 South 7th; Jess Gentry, 704 North 2nd; Elmer Gentry, 1116 Elm; Delbert Gentry, Duncan; Lloyd Gentry, Oklahoma City. The daughters are Ruth Gentry, home address; Mrs. Bessie Payne, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Tolbert Goodwin, Bell, Calif. The brother is George Trawick, 706 Pecan. The sisters are Mrs. Mary Rennels, Carpenter, Okla. and Mrs. Susie McMinn, Merkle, Tex.

Notes:

Married:
Lynell Gentry Cordell writes that "Zada Trawick's family was also in Wise Co., Texas in 1880. I wonder if John M. and Pamelia could have moved there after the 1880 census and Zada and Ed met and married there in 1890/91. Preacher William, possibly in need of care, his wife having probably died, could have been there around that time also." It is also possible that they married in Oklahoma, her obituary saying she had been a resident of Alma and Duncan since 1889.