Thomas Henry "Tom" Bentley, 91, of  El Rancho, NM., passed away on January 21, 2024. He was born to Jaymen and Lucille Bentley August 2, 1932 in Billingsley, Alabama.

He lived there and became quite the football player for the Billingsley Bears. After graduation, he joined the Airforce from 1950 to 1953. He left the military and met the love of his lifetime, Mary Kay May, they were married on October 15, 1954 in Pascagoula, MS. They remained married for 67 years and 2 weeks, when she gave up her fight to join her lord on October 31, 2021.

During their life together they had 3 children, Thomas Bentley Jr. (Buddy) wife Nancy, Donna Bentley, partner Martin Ybanez, and Gerri Lujan, husband Marshall. Through them he became a grandfather of 8, great- grandfather of 20 and great-great grandfather of 4.

Tom & Kay lived a wonderful military life and enjoyed traveling around the US gaining friends too numerous to mention, but leaving them all with wonderful memories. Some of those folks stayed friends for the duration of their lives.

Tom retired the second time from the Airforce in July of 1972. He then began a civilian career with Control Data Corporation, and then later with Cray Research.  Finally, fully retiring in 1990 to their beloved farm in Smithdale Ms. They stayed there attending Thompson Baptist Church until health issues arose.

In the summer of 2012, they sold everything and moved to New Mexico where they were cared for by Marshall & Gerri until they passed to Glory.

Each of his children gave him something different, Bud was the adventurous one who took him Salmon fishing on a little plane in Alaska, Donna was the other military wife along with husband Larry who took them to Germany and on a tour of the European countryside, Gerri was the homebody who always had a place to come to when they were ready. Each of them will miss him dearly.

Tom will be laid to rest on Friday January 26th 2024 at the Thompson Baptist Church Cemetery next to his beloved wife. Visitation will begin at 10 AM with Service & Burial at 11:00 AM at Thompson Baptist Church. Bro. Jim Bradford will officiate. Hartman-Jones Funeral Home of McComb is in charge of arrangements.

A very special thank you to the Thompson Baptist Church community for helping to ensure everything was ready for his burial. This was his home, he felt as if he was a part of a bigger family here and wanted to come back home to be laid to rest.

Honorary Pall Bearers will be  great-grandchildren, Brittany Kohler, Brandy Adkins, Tina Shipman ,Dominic Lujan, Gavin Shipman,  Jared Torres, Kayleigh Gutierrez, Dannalee Lopez, Logan Chisholm , Dalen Palmer, Colt Chisholm,  Analeah Gutierrez, Nicolas Pacheco, Noah Pacheco, Logan Boughter, Asher Boughter, Dempsey-Jo Bentley, Indianna Bentley, Beck Boughter, Walker Bentley and great-great- grandchildren  Lily Kohler, Xaviar Lujan, Silver Lopez, Wesley Kohler

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Thompson Baptist Church Youth Group.