Tommie Lee Gentry, aka Cliff Landslide, Aging Action Hero was born on June 19, 1951 in Missouri. He grew up in Delaware, Arkansas where he graduated from Dardanelle High School home of the Sand Lizards. He went on to serve as a Ranger in the US Army. He came to Midland, Texas in 1978, where he lived life to its fullest until May 30, 2013, when he left on his final walk-about.Tom went to work in the oilfield in the early 1980s and always said he loved being an Oilee. He was loved by many as a man content to just be himself and lived his life on his own terms. He characterized himself as an all seeing, all knowing, student of life who always said There are no problems in life, only solutions. Throughout his life Tom traveled the country on what he called walk-abouts where he never met a stranger and developed lifelong friendships with ease. He always returned home to his family and friends with stories of his adventures and experiences that captivated us with contagious laughter and twinkling eyes.Our Poppy valued honesty and prided himself on a job done well. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to always be square which meant be a good person. Not a person who is good by the standards of others, but a person who looks in the mirror and sees someone they are happy with. He was a man we could look up to and we are so thankful that God made him ours.Tom is preceded in death by his mother, Polly Estelle Gentry, his father B.R. Gentry, and two brothers, J.R. Gentry and James Gentry. He is survived by three sisters, Cathy Mackey, Ola Jessen, and Dorothy Shook all of Dardanelle, Arkansas and a brother, Johnny Ray Gentry, of Midland; four daughters and their husbands, LeeAyn and Aaron Lesley, Christi and Jamie Gilliam, Sherene and Buck Starr, Shaunne and Shannon White, all who he has raised with Cheryl Barron of Midland, since 1978. Other survivors include nine granddaughters Kourtney Lesley and Joe Maraschick, Kenzi and Jeff Smith, Madison Lesley, Sarah Blevins, Ashleigh Blevins, Kim and Derek Ware, Emily White, Kasey White, and Lauren Starr; two grandsons Cameron Starr and Kither Lee Gilliam, his namesake; and one great-grandson Koven Taylor Handsomepants. Because Tom was not a traditional man, it doesnt seem right to see him off in a traditional way. Instead, the family will host a get together on Saturday, June 8, at his home at 2:00 pm. Plenty of food, drinks, and fellowship will be had. We hope that all of his loved ones will join us.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
