Gentry Ruark Obituary

Gentry Allen Ruark
Aug. 24, 1939 – March 11, 2025

Gentry Allen Ruark (Allen) of Platte City, Mo., passed away at home on March 11, 2025, with his family at his side, from complications of Parkinson Disease. He was born Aug. 24, 1939, in Vian, Okla., to Charley and Elsie (Goodwin) Ruark.
He graduated from Sallisaw High School in Sallisaw, Okla., in 1956. He attended Conner Agricultural College before completing his degree in education with a focus on math and science at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. In 1960, he moved to the Kansas City, Mo., area to take a teaching position. He taught at Raytown South Junior High in Raytown, Mo., for 35 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charley and Elsie (Goodwin) Ruark; brothers, Autho Ruark, Dee Ruark, Clayton Ruark and Frank Ruark; sister, Gracie (Ruark) Pinson; brothers-in-law Elmo Pinson, Kenny Maib, Frank (FJ) Bowers, Dan Ellis, Barry Barker and Benny Barker; sisters-in law, Bette Maib, Beverly Bowers, Barbara Ellis, Earlene Barker, Pat (Dee) Barker and Susie Ruark; niece, Cheryl (Ellis) Taraskewich; and nephews, Robert Ruark, Dennis Ruark, Shane Ruark and Charles Pinson.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Brenda (Barker) Ruark of Platte City; daughter, Dr. Tracey (Ruark) Miller (Mike) of Weston, Mo.; son, Chris Ruark (Dana) of Liberty, Mo.; grandchildren, Phillip Ruark (Addie) of Holt, Mo., Michaela (Miller) Dudley (Nathan) of Dearborn, Mo., Elizabeth Ruark of Nashville, Tenn., and Nick Miller of Agency, Mo.; step great grandson, Gunner (Phillip and Addie); brother-in law, Jim Hanes; sisters-in law, Bernece Hanes and Helen Ruark; many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews that he dearly loved.
Allen loved hunting, fishing, teaching and spending time with his family. He will be remembered as a kind, soft spoken, and gentle man that loved his family. Despite living most of his life in the Kansas City area, his heart was always in Oklahoma.
A funeral was held on March 17, 2025, at Floral Hills Funeral Home at Kansas City, Mo. A graveside interment of his ashes will occur at Dwight Mission Cemetery in Vian, Oklahoma on Saturday May 31, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. A celebration of life luncheon will follow at the Marble City Community and Wellness Center at 12:30 p.m. All family and friends are welcome.