Gene Harrison Lentz, age 86, of Decatur passed away at home on Feb. 1, 2016, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.
Gene was born Aug. 2, 1929, and was a lifelong resident of Decatur. He attended Riverside High School (now Decatur High School), where he excelled in athletics and academia. Gene played football under Coach H.L. “Shorty” Ogle as one of “Shorty’s Boys.” After graduating from high school, Gene attended Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, and Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama) on football scholarships and graduated with a double major in English and Education.
After a brief career teaching and coaching football at Cullman High School, Gene was drafted into the army and joined the Army Counter Intelligence Corps. After completing his military service, he was influenced by his friend, Albert P. Brewer (who later held several state positions including governor of Alabama) and attended law school at the University of Alabama. He ultimately joined Governor Brewer in establishing a legal practice in 1957 in Decatur, which practice survives today as Lentz, Whitmire, House, Propst and Richardson, LLP.
Gene’s practice areas focused on commercial transactions, real estate and banking. Gene was also considered a true “counselor” and advised many individuals throughout the community on both legal and personal matters for more than 50 years.
Throughout his life, Gene had a deep passion for learning and kept current on a wide range of subjects from biblical history to world literature. He deeply enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the gospels and biblical history with his Sunday school class at Central Park Baptist Church.
Gene also maintained a strong interest in physical fitness and health throughout his entire life, and inspired his family and friends to do the same. Most of all, Gene was devoted to his family. He was married to Dyann Stovall Lentz for more than three decades and considered her extended family his own.
Gene is survived by his daughters, Kimberly R. Lentz (married to William J. Little, Jr.) and Gena R. Lentz (married to Tony Kuan). Kim and Gena followed in their dad’s footsteps by attending law school, and both live and work in Mississippi. In addition to his loving daughters, Gene is survived by his dear friend, Betty Davis.
Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at Roselawn Funeral Home from 1 to 2:20 p.m., and will be followed by a graveside service at Decatur City Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Park Baptist Church, 2020 Westmead Street SW, Decatur, AL 35601.
