Troy Gentry to be remembered in Grand Ole Opry celebration
Memorial arrangements have been announced for Lexington native and country music star Troy Gentry, who was killed Friday in a helicopter crash in New Jersey.
There will be a public celebration of Gentry’s life at noon Thursday (11 a.m. CT) at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. That will be followed by a private family internment.
The Grand Ole Opry celebration is to be live-streamed at Opry.com/troy-gentry. Montgomery Gentry, the duo of Gentry and Eddie Montgomery, became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 2009.
In lieu of flowers, Gentry’s family is requesting that donations be made to the T.J. Martell Foundation, a music-industry organization that finances medical research focused on finding treatments and cures for cancer, and the American Red Cross for hurricane relief.
On its website, the Martell Foundation called Gentry “a beloved friend” and said he was “a devoted supporter of The T.J. Martell Foundation who gave his time and talent whenever he was asked.” Gentry’s widow, Angie McClure Gentry, is a breast cancer survivor. Gentry, 50, is survived by their daughters, Taylor and Kaylee.
Gentry’s official obituary, released by Montgomery Gentry publicist Average Joes Entertainment, said Montgomery Gentry had planned to release an album of new music in 2018 to celebrate the duo’s 20th year together. Montgomery Gentry’s first album, “Tattoos & Scars” was released in 1999.
Gentry and pilot James Evan Robinson were flying near the Flying W Airport in Medford, N.J., when the aircraft had mechanical problems, according to NJ.com. The helicopter crashed in a wooded area. Robinson died at the scene, and Gentry died later at Virtua Hospital in Marlton, N.J.
Montgomery Gentry had been scheduled to perform at the airport and resort. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Rich Copley: 859-231-3217, @LexGoKY.
This story was originally published September 11, 2017 at 1:51 PM with the headline "Troy Gentry to be remembered in Grand Ole Opry celebration."