Brady P. Gentry

Brady P. Gentry
Gentry in 1955
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1957
Preceded byLindley Beckworth
Succeeded byLindley Beckworth
Personal details
BornBrady Preston Gentry
(1896-03-25)March 25, 1896
Colfax, Texas, US
DiedNovember 9, 1966(1966-11-09) (aged 70)
Houston, Texas, US
PartyDemocratic
Alma materEast Texas State College
Cumberland University
ProfessionPolitician, lawyer
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service
1918
RankCaptain
Battles/warsWorld War I

Brady Preston Gentry (March 25, 1896 – November 9, 1966) was an American politician and lawyer. A Democrat, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas.

Born in Van Zandt County, Gentry studied law and fought in World War I. He then moved to Tyler, where he practiced law and worked in the public sector. The head of various transportation organizations, he helped create the road system of the United States. He served in the House from 1953 to 1957.

Early life and education

Gentry was born on March 25, 1896,[1] on a farm near Colfax, Texas,[2] the son of Benjamin Whitfield Gentry and Virginia Caroline (née McPhail) Gentry.[3] Educated at public schools,[1] he studied at Cumberland School of Law,[4] East Texas A&M University, and Tyler Commercial College.[3][1]

Career

In 1918,[1] during World War I, Gentry served in France[3] with the American Expeditionary Forces[4] and was ranked captain. He was a clerk to the Van Zandt County tax collector, and became tax collector of Tyler after moving there.[3] He read law,[1] and at age 21, was admitted to the bar,[3] after which he began practicing in Tyler.[1]

From 1921 to 1924, Gentry was district attorney of Smith County, and from 1931 to 1939, was county judge.[1] As judge, he helped develop the county's road system.[3] He was chairman of the Texas Department of Transportation from 1939 to 1945,[1] the first to serve a full term of the office, having been appointed by Governor W. Lee O'Daniel.[3] In 1943, he was named president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and for a time was director of the Texas Good Roads Association.[3]

Gentry was a Democrat. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives, from January 3, 1953, to January 3, 1957, representing Texas's 3rd district.[1] While serving, he was a member of the Committees on Public Works[2] and on Transportation and Infrastructure, helping establish the Interstate Highway System.[3] He was not nominated for the following election.[1] Ideologically, he was conservative, being the most conservative Democrat of either Congress he served in.[5]

After serving in Congress, Gentry returned to practicing law.[1] He was offered chairmanship of the Texas Highway Commission, but refused to pursue a career in the private sector. He supported Southern Methodist University and was a benefactor of Tyler Junior College.[3]

Death and legacy

Gentry never married.[6] He died on November 9, 1966, aged 70, in Houston, and was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, in Tyler.[1][7]

The Gentry Gym of Tyler Junior College is named for him.[3] Two commemorative plaque are commemorated to him: one in Tyler,[8] and one near Van, installed September 24, 1967.[2][6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Gentry, Brady Preston". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  2. 1 2 3 "Brady P. Gentry Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Greer, D. C. "Brady Preston Gentry: Influential Texas Legislator and Lawyer". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  4. 1 2 "Brady P. Gentry Seeks Place As Congressman". The Kilgore Herald. 30 January 1938. p. 1. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  5. ↑ "GENTRY, Brady Preston (1896-1966)". www.voteview.com. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  6. 1 2 "Memorial On Interstate 20 To Honor Late Brady Gentry". The Kilgore News. 23 July 1967. p. 46. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  7. ↑ "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Gehan to Georgatos". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  8. ↑ "Brady P. Gentry Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
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