Steven James Bentley

July 24, 1947 -- November 23, 2011

Steve was born in Oklahoma City on July 24, 1947. He was the only son of four children born to Earl W. "Bill" Bentley and Carolyn Elizabeth Nichols Bentley. He lived in Oklahoma City most of his life. He attended Edgemere Elementary, Nichols Hills Elementary, Casady Middle School, and graduated from Harding High School in 1965. He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri and the University of Kansas. He enlisted in the Navy in 1967. Soon after he was assigned to the USS Mahan, he married Sally Frye also of Oklahoma City. They were stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, for two years sharing many memorable experiences. He led the ship supply department in being awarded the coveted Ney Award for accountability and organization. After leaving the Navy, Steve and Sally moved to Norman where he completed his degree in Business at O.U. Following graduation, Steve joined his father in the commercial carpet business in 1973, and continued in that field until 1996. During that time he was a leader in a number of national flooring organizations. After several years of retirement he reopened Bentley Flooring as president. He also became involved in animal welfare by helping to establish PAWOK, the first public dog park in Oklahoma City, and as chairman and a founder of Central Oklahoma Humane Society. He co-owned the Lucky Dog Lodge boarding kennel. Steve was a long time member of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, serving two terms as president and as treasurer. He loved golf, fishing, boating, reading, and spending time with friends and family at Grand Lake. He was a loving, loyal, and generous son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor to many. Steve's most memorable quality was his sense of humor. His most treasured blessings were his family and friends. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Carolyn Bentley, and his sister, Cynthia Bentley Campbell. He is survived by his wife Sally of 43 years and son, Steven James Bentley, Jr. and wife Jennifer Ann, and grandchildren, Parker James and Julianne Elizabeth Bentley; and son, Eward Nichols Bentley; sister, Susan Erickson and husband John and children Carolyn, John William, and Matthew; sister, Barbara Philbin and husband John and children , Claire and Maggie; all of Oklahoma City; nephews Benjamin Campbell and Aaron Campbell. Other family members include aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. A memorial service will be held Monday, November 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to Central Oklahoma Humane Society, 9300 N. May Ave., Ste. 400-281, OKC, 73120. Or to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel, OKC, 73118.

Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.