James A. “Jim” Gentry passed away in Urbana, Illinois on July 25, 2024

Jim was born on November 22, 1930, in Wingate, Indiana, the son of Robert Wayne Gentry and Autumn Beatrice (Quick) Gentry. He was raised in Waynetown, Indiana. He is survived by his wife of 27 Years, Mary (Mars) Rohan Gentry, she survives. Also surviving are his children, Jennifer L. Gentry (Janet Englund), James B. Gentry (Leslie) and Kirsten E. Poetzel (Adam) and grandchildren James C. Gentry, Hannah Gentry, Laura Poetzel, Anna Nurmi (Ethan) and Aaron Poetzel, great granddaughter, Delaney Gentry and stepchildren, Alexis Strack Phillips (Jonathan) and Jordan Strack ((Jamie Edgecomb). He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister, Martha Ann.

Jim graduated from Indiana State University with the intention of becoming an educator. He was elected Freshmen class president and President of his fraternity in his Junior year. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a cadet in the Navigation Program. During his tenure as First Lieutenant and Navigator in the Strategic Air Command Refueling Squadron, he was stationed in California, Maine, Greenland, and Northern Africa.

After retiring from the Air Force, he earned an MBA at Indiana University which lead to a position as Stockbroker with Dean Witter in the San Francisco area for five years. But the desire to be an educator lead him back to his Indiana roots where he earned a PHD in Finance from the Indiana University School of Business.

He joined the faculty of the University of Illinois Finance Department in September of 1966. In his 50-year career, Jim was Associate Dean, the Investors in Business Education Distinguished Professor of Finance, served on numerous academic committees and campus wide boards and committees. He received three Fulbright Scholarships. They were in the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, Toyko International University, Japan and Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy.

He was very involved in executive education through the Executive Development Center, teaching in that department’s programs for over 25 years. He chaired the extremely successful Executive in Residence Program which brought many CEO’s and other business executives to share experiences with students and faculty. His passion for teaching lead him to educational experiences in many different organizations and countries including Australia, China, South Africa, Poland, and universities in the U.S.

While on sabbatical at the University of Virginia, Jim embraced the case teaching method which he introduced to the business school and enriched many a student’s learning experience in his classes. He initiated the business school’s involvement in Case Study Competitions around the country.

Jim was an extremely active member of many professional organizations including Director of the Financial Management association and served as President of the Midwest Finance Association where their annual executive lecture is named for him. He authored many academic papers throughout his career but later in his career he became interested in excellence in teaching. He did extensive research and collaborated with many professors across disciplines and universities to emphasize the importance of teaching in the student learning experience.

On campus, Jim served on numerous boards and committees. He was President of the State Universities Retirement Board and President of the University of Illinois Athletic Board to name a few.

Locally, Jim was an Alderman in the City of Urbana for four years and was on the boards of the Urbana Chamber of Commerce, The Champaign Urbana Symphony, and many other community organizations.

He was on the List of Excellent Teachers for over 15 years and was recognized as a Distinguished Teacher Scholar by the University of Illinois in 2001. After formally retiring in 2002, Jim continued to teach his popular Cases in Corporate Finance Class until 2014. Jim really cared about his students. His legacy will be the learning experience he afforded these students and the countless hours he mentored them to further their understanding of the material.

Jim and Mars spent many vacations and holidays with family and friends around the country. Their travels took them on cruises to the Baltic, Norway, around South America and many river cruises in Europe. They traveled through many continents and countries over the last 20 years but considered their African Adventure in Kenya and Tanzania to be the highlight. In the last few years, they have completed their quest to visit all State Capitols and had many stories to tell! They enjoyed all their family vacations in Colorado, Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Winnipesaukee, Boston, Florida, and the many wine country adventures.

Jim will be remembered as a caring, conscientious, hard-working family man who actually listened when someone answered a question. He put everyone before himself and really cared about his students and his family. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, Jim would like donations to the University of Illinois Foundation designating Friends of WILL Radio or Television or to the Gies College of Business Faculty Excellence Fund at P.O. Box 734500, Chicago, IL 60673-4500.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 pm, Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at the Champaign Country Club. Reception immediately following.

Condolences may be offered at www.morganmemorialhome.com.