James A. (Jim) Bentley, Jr., a lifelong resident of Atlanta, Decatur and Stone Mountain, died Monday, June 7, following an extended illness. He was 80. He grew up in the area around the old Inman Park Baptist Church, where he threw papers and delivered telegrams during his time at Tech High School. Affectionately known in his younger days as "Cotton," Mr. Bentley was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army in England, Germany, Belgium, Holland, France and Austria. He also served various stints in the Air National Guard, the Georgia State Guard and the Air Force Reserve, completing his military affiliations in 1960. He retired from the Georgia State Department of Education as maintenance engineer at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf in Clarkston in 1994. Since that time, he has enjoyed his retirement in Stone Mountain, tending his roses, trees and gardens. In honor of his 75th birthday, then-Gov. Zell Miller declared Oct. 18, 1998 as "Jim Bentley Day" in Georgia in recognition of his "stewardship, patriotism and love toward his fellow man." Mr. Bentley was preceded in death by his mother, Ola Tolbert Bentley, and father, James A. Bentley, Sr., of Villa Rica and Atlanta, respectively. Survivors include sons, Mike Bentley of Blanco, Texas, and Tim Bentley of Vinings; sister, Margaret Wilson of Atlanta; nephew, Dan Bird and his wife Barbara; and grand-niece, Rachel Bird, all of Gilbert, Arizona; and, former wife and lifelong friend, Jane Hays Bentley of Decatur. Also surviving is his longtime nurse and caregiver, Irma Harris of Lawrenceville.
James A. (Jim) Bentley, Jr., a lifelong resident of Atlanta, Decatur and Stone Mountain, died Monday, June 7, following an extended illness. He was 80. He grew up in the area around the old Inman Park Baptist Church, where he threw papers and delivered telegrams during his time at Tech High School. Affectionately known in his younger days as "Cotton," Mr. Bentley was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army in England, Germany, Belgium, Holland, France and Austria. He also served various stints in the Air National Guard, the Georgia State Guard and the Air Force Reserve, completing his military affiliations in 1960. He retired from the Georgia State Department of Education as maintenance engineer at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf in Clarkston in 1994. Since that time, he has enjoyed his retirement in Stone Mountain, tending his roses, trees and gardens. In honor of his 75th birthday, then-Gov. Zell Miller declared Oct. 18, 1998 as "Jim Bentley Day" in Georgia in recognition of his "stewardship, patriotism and love toward his fellow man." Mr. Bentley was preceded in death by his mother, Ola Tolbert Bentley, and father, James A. Bentley, Sr., of Villa Rica and Atlanta, respectively. Survivors include sons, Mike Bentley of Blanco, Texas, and Tim Bentley of Vinings; sister, Margaret Wilson of Atlanta; nephew, Dan Bird and his wife Barbara; and grand-niece, Rachel Bird, all of Gilbert, Arizona; and, former wife and lifelong friend, Jane Hays Bentley of Decatur. Also surviving is his longtime nurse and caregiver, Irma Harris of Lawrenceville.
Inscription
U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006
Name: James Asbury Jr Bentley
Service Info.: TEC 4 US ARMY WORLD WAR II
Birth Date: 18 Oct 1923
Death Date: 7 Jun 2004
Cemetery: Villa Rica Cemetery
Cemetery Address: Villa Rica, GA 30180
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