GENTRY — The following narrative is a continuation from last week’s issue of the Gentry Courier-Journal and the Decatur Herald: Dr. Bob Weaver

The year was 1963 when Ray Barnett, a member of the Gentry Chamber of Commerce, went to Westville to find out how that small rural community was able to afford a medical center.

“We needed a doctor” Barnett said. He discovered that the Sears and Roebuck Foundation offered guidance and assistance for small rural communities for just that purpose. Under the guidance of Barnett and then chamber-president V. E. Pickering, the wheels were put in motion to construct a medical center that would attract doctors to the area. After a study revealed that the community wanted and needed a center, the fund raising began. Soon after that, the idea of the Gentry Medical Center became real.

In May of 1964, Dr. Robert Weaver of Granite City, Ill., saw an advertisement in the American Medical Association Journal for a doctor to come to Gentry. Dr. Weaver and his brother Donald, also a physician, came to visit and agreed to come to work in Gentry. The clinic opened in November of 1964 and Dr.Bob Weaver came to work after finishing medical school the following summer. He has been here ever since. He has taken care of us and not only been our doctor but our friend for more than 50 years. Dr. Weaver has been a solid rock in our community, supporting and helping the city and its citizens create the community as it is today. For asmall rural community of our size to be able to boast we have always had a doctor and a medical clinic is something very rare. We owe a huge debt of gratitude for all he has done for us individually and for our community as a whole.

Last year Dr. Weaver retired and is spending more time with his family and traveling. He and his wife Marlene have three children, Sheri, Rob and Sandra.

Ross Wilmoth

Ross Wilmoth, with his wife Freda and eight children, Linda, Ross Leon Jr., Lewis, Freddy, Sheva, Lisa, Charles and Chana always at his side, developed one of the most successful tourist attractions, not only in Arkansas, but also throughout the United States. The Wild Wilderness Safari plays hosts to visitors from all 50 states and several foreign countries every year.

This story is a special one. Ross and Freda created the outdoor park on their own farm and, for the most part, with only the help of their children and Ross’ dear friend and neighbor, Orla Ownbey.

The Safari journey began in the 1960s. Folks came to the Wilmoth’s farm to take advantage of their hospitality by fishing in the 19-acre pond. Then, for Christmas one year, Freda gave Ross three buffalo. Some will remember Ross’ favorite half buffalo/half Herford, “Herky.” Herky loved people. He would join the fishermen, the picnickers and sometimes even the family by coming in the house through the sliding glass doors. The entire family loved animals and began adding exotic cattle, elk, deer, peacocks and unusual birds. As time went on, more and more folks came to the farm to fish, enjoy the outdoorsand watch the wildlife. It was the family’s decision to develop the area into a protected area for the animals and the Wild Wilderness Safari was born.

Since that time nearly 50 years ago, the Safari has been home to more than 400 species of animals. Freda has spent many nights getting up at 2 a.m. to feed the babies - sometimes it was monkeys, sometimes it was bears, and sometimes it was lions and tigers. Amazingly, the huge enterprise still remains on the Wilmoth Farm and the family still owns, manages and works there every day of the year.

Ross died in March of 2003. The legacy of his business, his family and how he merged the two together to create one of the finest family attractions anywhere in the world is one that makes us all proud.

Award recipients

The following is a listing of all Gentry’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients since the award was first presented by the Gentry Chamber of Commerce in 1988:

J.R. Bever, Sr. - 1988; Rai Steele - 1988; F.G. Twiggs - 1988; Kathryn Elsner - 1988; Bob Curran - 1988; Bob Carl - 1989; Maurice Lamberson - 1989; Dr. A.L. Peacock - 1989; John Parks - 1990; Marvin Phillips - 1990; Roy Backer - 1992; Tom Burns - 1992; Clyde Glass - 1992; Pat Parks - 1992; John Schaffer - 1993; Paul Sugg - 1993; Joe Carl - 2005; Clegg Ratcliff - 2007; John Binns - 2007; Dale Carpenter - 2007; Art Steele - 2007; J.D. Smith - 2007; J.R. “Bob” Bever, Sr. -2008; Lyle Glass - 2008; Railey Steele - 2008; Oral Sullivan - 2008; Roy Bolin - 2008; Doris Carter - 2009; Mildred Backer - 2009; Dr. Bob Weaver - 2010; Ross Wilmoth - 2010.

Community, Pages 9 on 03/17/2010