James F. Bentley formerly of Coffeyville passed away at the age of 90 with family near his side on December 28, 2020 in Woodhaven Michigan.
James was born on May 7, 1930 in Ethridge, Tennessee to Richard and Mamie (Cook) Bentley. After the passing of his Dad, he was raised by his Grandpa and Grandma Bentley. James grew up and received his education in Ethridge. On June 10, 1947 James entered active service in Nashville, Tennessee for the United States Navy. After 3 years and 10 months and 4 days he received an honorable discharge; during his time of service he received the Navy Occupation and Korean Service Medal.
James married Linda Bentley in Panama City, Florida. They made their home in Panama raising their two children, Catherine and Mike through their grade school years. When his kids were young teens, James took a job as Chief Engineer at a hospital in Ozark, Alabama moving his family. In the 1970’s James daughter, Cathy moved to Coffeyville where Linda’s brother had also moved to manage the Coffeyville Country Club. After a convincing conversation and a job opportunity James, Linda and Mike moved to Coffeyville where James began a new career at the Coffeyville Country Club. After a few years James changed employment to become the Chief Engineer for Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where remained until retirement. After retirement James was inducted into the CRMC Hall of Fame. Linda unfortunately preceded him in death after a battle of cancer in 1982.
After retirement James found love again and married JoAnn Bentley and moved to rural Coffeyville where they built a home together. As a young boy he was raised in rural Tennessee and loved all the adventures of rural life and he was able to enjoy the opportunity of raising cattle once again. JoAnn preceded him in death after a battle with cancer.
Life alone was lonely, and he feel in love with Glenda Bentley and the two were married, he moved to Parsons, Kansas where they made their home until her passing also after a battle with cancer.
Though life had handed him many challenges and he was no stranger to grief but allowed himself to find love again and was united in marriage to Judy Zimski on July 17, 2010. Sharing in 10 wonderful years together, they made their home in Woodhaven, Michigan where she remains of the home.
James moved from Alabama but that never changed him from being a Crimson Tides fan. James was an amazing man, he cared deeply for his family and everyone he met. He was a dedicated and loving husband through thick and thin until death do them part. He loved his children dearly, his daughter still a “Daddy’s Girl” and he will always be his sons “Hero”; each of them thankful for him teaching them everything they needed to know about life. James love for people and acceptance of life’s challenges allowed him to love siblings he never knew he had. His mother had remarried after the passing of his Dad; he thought his mother had passed as well, so he was quite surprised to learn of his three brothers, Wiley Cook, Dean Snow and Max Snow and two sister, Gertie Webb and Faye Martin well into adulthood. He will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, the best Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Uncle, Brother and Friend.
Cherishing every memory and life shared with James is his wife, Judy; son, Mike Bentley and his wife Jee Jee; daughter, Catherine “Cathy” Bentley; brother, Max Snow; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and mother of his children, Linda; wife, JoAnn; wife, Glenda; brothers, Dean Cook, Willey Cook and sisters, Gertie Webb and Faye Martin.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2020 at 1 pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2020 from 6 to 8 pm also at the chapel. Facial masks are requested at both events and social distancing is encouraged. To leave a message of condolence or to share in a memory please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
