Jim Bentley, Age 78 , passed away February 22,2019. He was born November 29, 1940 in Central Park, Birmingham, AL. From that time on he was a Central Park Boy. He went to West End High School and graduated from Ensley High School. After attending The University of Montevallo, he went to work for Air Engineers, Inc. In 1964, he became the youngest salesman for Bigelow Rugs and Carpets ever hired covering Alabama, Mississippi, parts of Georgia, and the Panhandle of Florida as a Territory Manager. After being with Bigelow ten years and Salesman of the Year for the entire country, he opened Bentley Carpets, Inc. in 1974 and within five years he had five stores becoming the largest carpet dealer in the state.
He was a member of The Birmingham Downtown Club, The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, The Birmingham Press Club, The Exchange Club, The Summit Club, The Club, and The Vestavia Hills Country Club.
He was The President of Vestavia Parks and Recreation Baseball and started the first annual baseball program publication. He coached and later became president of Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Basketball. After that, he was on the Park Board for four years and became President. He was a member of the Vestavia Hills Exchange Club, The Fairfield Elks Lodge, and he helped form the Elks club 2818, being the #2 member. He was a member of The Pell City Rotary Club, Board Member for three years of The original Chapel in the Pines Pell City. He started the Water Waves publication for LMLPA.
He was a member of Central Park Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walker Louis Bentley; his mother, Lillian Sellers Bentley; and his wife, Diane Ogletree Bentley.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Richey Bentley; his daughter, Denise (Dee) Bentley Gurganus, (John); his son, James Christian (Chris) Bentley, (Lisa); two grandsons Michael Joseph Romano, Jr. and James Christian Bentley, Jr., and two granddaughters, Victoria Brooke Bentley and Brayden Diane Bentley; sister, Joan Huff Miller;
Step Children Donna Cooper, Shelly Fomby, step grandchildren, Bradi(Michael) ,Christian McSweeny, Raliegh (Tyler), Lawson Boyanton, and Kodi and Blaine Eads, Jordan Ray, and Peyton Walker.
Special friends: Bill &Tracy Kuhn, Jim & Terri Ogletree, Cynthianne and Joann Morgan
Visitation for Mr. Bentley will Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood, AL followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM at Valley Chapel. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery.
In Lieu of Flowers, please make donations to: Chapel in the Pines of Pell City¸ AL.
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