James O’Conor Gentry Sr., a decorated World War II veteran who later became a lawyer and general counsel to a Baltimore insurance company, died of complications from dementia March 3 at a daughter’s Cockeysville home. The Mercy Ridge Retirement Community resident was 94.
James O’Conor Gentry Sr., son of William D. Gentry, a Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. worker, and his wife, Mary O’Conor Gentry, was born in Baltimore and raised on 36th Street in Ednor Gardens.
Mr. Gentry was also a nephew of Gov. Herbert R. O’Conor, who was governor of Maryland from 1939 to 1947, and worked on several of his campaigns. He was also a close boyhood friend of John Steadman, who later became sports editor of The News American and later a sports columnist for The Evening Sun and The Sun.
“They would regularly visit the old Oriole Park at 29th and Greenmount Avenue where they would climb the fence and sneak in to watch baseball games,” said a son, James O’Conor Jr. of Pasadena.
He attended Blessed Sacrament School in Waverly and was a 1944 graduate of Loyola Blakefield. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army and served as an infantryman with the 317th Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. He fought in France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany, and at the Battle of the Bulge where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
