Brian Gentry, the owner and operator of Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe along Route 66 in Victorville, California, has died. He was 58.
According to a report in the Daily Press of Victorville, Gentry died peacefully on July 3.
His life will be celebrated from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 3, followed by a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sunset Hills Mortuary in Apple Valley, California.
Gentry left behind his wife Shawna and three children. The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign of $5,000.
More from the newspaper:
Victorville Mayor Elizabeth Becerra called Brian a “homegrown guy” who took over his parents’ dream, and with pride, continued to serve delicious food while treating his customers like family.
“The diner was more than a stop for truckers, it was a place where you felt at home — like you were being served by family,” Becerra said. “Brian was a true pillar of our city and he will be missed.” […]
“Emma Jeans was the first, and for several years, the only truck stop in the High Desert,” said Donald Ghost, who added that Brian’s cafe welcomed truck drivers, back when many others would not.
Emma Jean’s — and Gentry’s good cooking — was really put on the map during an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on the Food Network:
Emma Jean’s restaurant dates back to at least 1947.
(Image of Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville, California, by Jimmy Emerson, DVM, via Flickr)