Vernon LeRoy Gentry, 86, of Sterling, passed away Aug. 12, 2011, in Sterling. Private services will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.

Memorial services 7:00 pm Thurs., Sept. 1, 2011 at the Tennant Art Gallery on the NJC Campus.

Lee was born Dec. 30, 1924, in Syracuse, Neb., to Vern M. and Faye H. (Alexander) Gentry. When he was 4 years old, he moved to Colorado Springs. He grew up there and in Pueblo. He graduated with the Class of 1943 from Mt. Vernon High School in Fairfax County, Vt.

From 1943 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy with the Construction Battalion Seabees, serving in Tinian and Okinawa, Japan.

In 1950, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Denver. He taught at Pagosa Springs High School from 1950 to 1951, Plateau Valley High School in Colbran from 1951 to 1954, Padroni High School from 1954 to 1955, and Northeastern Junior College from 1955 to 1985. While at NJC, he was the bookstore manager for the first five years, cheerleader and pep squad sponsor, Athletic Department equipment manager, assistant baseball, football and basketball coach and golf coach, while at the same time teaching 24 to 25 quarter hours of classes each quarter. In 1961, he was appointed chairman of the Business Division, serving until his retirement in 1985.

Lee attended the Colorado State College of Education (now the University of Northern Colorado) from 1956 to 1958, completing his master's degree. He worked on his doctorate at the University of Wyoming from 1960 to 1967, including on leave in 1960-1961, and completed all but his dissertation.

After retirement, he co-managed a tax preparation service and accounting practice from 1985 to 1994. He served as the official basketball scorekeeper for NJC from 1961 until 1998.

On June 14, 1967, he married Eileen Beyda in Raton, N.M.

He was a member of the Colorado Business Education Association, serving several terms on the Board of Directors and one term as state president; Mountain Plains Business Education Association, serving on the Board of Directors for many years; the National Business Education Association, and Delta Pi Epsilon, an honorary organization for business educators, an honor to which he was elected while at UNC.

Lee also umpired town baseball games for many years and worked with the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed golf and was a longtime member of the Sterling Country Club, serving on its Board of Directors and as longtime Golf Committee Chairman. He was golf champion eight times, five times in stroke play and three in match play. He also won the Northeast Amateur championship the first year the event was held, and in 1975, won Senior Champion of the Colorado Golf Open, held at the Hiwan Country Club. He was a lifetime member of the Sterling Elks Club.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen Gentry of Sterling; cousins, Gene Pugh and wife Nancy of Sandstone, Minn., and Bill Pugh and wife Pat of Houston, Texas.

Memorials may be made to the NJC Foundation or charity of donor's choice.

Chaney-Reager Funeral Home in Sterling handled the arrangements.