Franklin lost a beloved resident in April 2022. Jimmy Gentry was born in Franklin's Wyatt Hall on November 28, 1925 and was the seventh of eight children. His childhood was filled with hunting, fishing and trapping. After losing his brother David in World War II, he entered the war as a private in the army and served in 42 Rainbow Division in European front and was a liberator at the concentration camp Dachau. Following the war, Jimmy came back to Franklin and married his high school sweetheart Rebecca Channell and they had three sons.
Jimmy began his coaching career before he even graduated from college when the Franklin High School principal asked him if he would be interested in coaching the football team. Soon after graduating from Peabody College he started teaching at Franklin as well. In the early 1960’s he moved to Battle Ground Academy to teach biology and coach and ended his career at Brentwood Academy teaching Tennessee History and coaching football. Many students remember his chalk drawings of funny fish and other diagrams which made his class a favorite. He coached over ten state championship football programs in his lifetime.
During his retirement, Jimmy enjoyed raising strawberries and continued to volunteer coach several local teams. Jimmy also enjoyed speaking to groups all over the country, telling of his WW II experiences. He continued to run his summer day camp at Franklin's Gentry Farm until he was in his 80’s and always loved seeing the children visit the farm for field trips.
Franklin Lifestyle honors the legacy and memory of a man who brought so much joy to our community.