- Date Of Birth: March 28, 1983
- Date Of Death: Aug 1, 2020
- City: Murray
- State: Utah
Major Michael McAllister Cal Gentry, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, died after a tragic cycling incident in Alaska on August 1, 2020.
He was born on March 28, 1983, in Murray, Utah, to Linda Lee Gentry-Bray and Michael Austin Gentry. Cal was active, ambitious, and accomplished from the beginning. He was an Eagle Scout, honor roll student, and gifted athlete who earned varsity letters in basketball and football at West Jordan High School.
Cal attended the United States Air Force Academy, majoring in Management. He took a leave of absence to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Ukraine Donetsk Mission from 2002-2004, and then graduated in the Class of 2007.
On July 13, 2007, Cal married the love of his life, Lisa Poppleton, in West Jordan, Utah. Together, they had two sons, Kai and Jake. Cal was a devoted family man and proud father. One of the best days of his life came on June 21, 2014, when they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.
Cal was a friend to everyone. He was known to take others under his wing, befriending and mentoring them. His positivity lit up the room and lifted the spirits of all around him. He was fun and adventurous, and had a passion for sports, travel, and exploring the outdoors. Cal exuded a special love for his life and the people in it. He truly inspired and impacted the lives of friends and colleagues around the world.
Maj. Gentry was a war veteran and dynamic leader in the United States Air Force. After graduating from the Air Force Academy, he served in domestic, overseas, and deployed locations: Hickam AFB, Hawaii (’07-’10), Wiesbaden AFB, Germany (’10-’13), Afghanistan (’11-’12), Hill AFB, Utah (’13-’16), Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (’16-’18), and Eielson AFB, Alaska (’18-’20). Maj. Gentry was the 354th Contracting Squadron Commander at Eielson AFB at the time of his death.
During his military career, Maj. Gentry was hand-selected by the Air Force for unique diplomatic missions to locations like Ukraine and Moldova, where he won over the locals’ hearts and created goodwill toward America. His military decorations include the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
Cal beat testicular cancer in 2014 and became a valuable member of the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program. He represented the Air Force in cycling, seated volleyball, and wheelchair basketball at the DoD Warrior Games, leading Team Air Force to multiple medals. Cal was also selected to represent Team USA at the Invictus Games, where he competed in cycling, track/field, rowing, and helped win the gold medal in wheelchair basketball in 2017.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Poppleton Gentry; sons Kaison Ali’i Gentry and Jacob Dieter Gentry; mother Linda Lee Gentry-Bray; sister Jessalyn Lee Riche (Tom); half sisters Alison Gentry Bradley (Bill) and Tamara Gentry; and fifteen nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Michael Austin Gentry.
