Jerry W. Bentley, 79 of Monrovia, Alabama passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and daughters. He was born at Huntsville Hospital on July 6, 1943, to Annie Bell and Earl Bentley. Jerry’s early childhood was spent in Hazel Green surrounded by his family. After his father passed away, he moved to downtown Huntsville. His early childhood education was spent at East Clinton, Huntsville Junior High, and Butler High School. His higher education was done at Calhoun Community College and Louisiana State University.
In 1965 he married Elaine Mitchell and together they had two daughters, Beth Goodwin (Greg) and Laura Israel (Scott) They also have three grandchildren, Bentley Goodwin, Zachary Israel and Madelaine Israel. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, fishing and reading books about Vietnam. He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Monrovia for more than 50 years.
Jerry was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp where he served in Vietnam as an explosive specialist. He obtained the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Marksman Badge (Rifle).
As a teenager he began working at the skating rink in Huntsville and at WBHP Radio with Grady Reeves. Later he worked for Laughlin Service Funeral Home, Prudential Insurance Company, and GTE. He enjoyed working with the Jaycees on the Northeast Alabama Fair where his job was to book the entertainers each year. During that time, he booked many artists including a gospel group that had crossed over to country…The Oak Ridge Boys. That began a relationship and friendship that would continue until the present day. His love for the entertainment business led him to start Jerry Bentley Productions. During the next 10 plus years he promoted concerts at the Von Braun Center and other venues all over the Southeast. His concerts were some of the biggest in this area during the late 70’s and 80’s. Those concerts included The Oak Ridge Boys, Hank Williams Jr., Don Williams, Jimmy Buffett, Larry Gatlin, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and a new artist…Lee Greenwood.
In 1985, Jerry went to work as the business manager for Lee Greenwood and served in that position until his retirement in 2014. Lee and Jerry formed a partnership and friendship that has lasted for almost 30 years. Together they went on numerous USO tours all over the world, flew in fighter jets, worked with the FDNY, met Presidents, Senators, and Congressman, stood in the pits for NASCAR Cup Races and NHRA Drag races. They made lots of memories, raised money for many charities and entertained servicemen around the world. In 1996 they opened a theater in Sevierville, Tennessee and made lasting friendships there.
Jerry was awarded the first “One In A Million Award” by the Oak Ridge Boys, the Angel Award by Lee and Kim Greenwood and he has been recognized by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame for his work as a concert promoter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie Bell and Earl Bentley, his sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Calvin Whitworth, and his in laws, Dorothy and David Mitchell. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elaine; his daughters and sons-in-law, Beth & Greg Goodwin of Monrovia and Laura & Scott Israel of Chattanooga; his beloved grandchildren, Bentley Goodwin, Zachary Israel and Madelaine Israel, his brother-in-law, Butch Mitchell (Djinn) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; his sister-in-law, Sandra Vaughan of Bradenton, Florida; his nephews, John Mitchell (Tammy), Michael Mitchell (Laura), Mickey Whitworth (Margie), and Jimmy Whitworth; and a niece, Sandra Fryer.
Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Madison officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Cemetery, 228 Mt. Zion Road, Huntsville, AL 35806.
