Claude Bentley, Jr.

Claude Bentley, Jr., 69, of Gray, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Baptist Health Corbin.
Born in Corbin, he was the son of the late Claude Bentley, Sr., and Ruth Higgins Bentley. He made a profession of his Christian faith at age 16. Claude was a basketball standout at Lynn Camp High School and received a scholarship to Sue Bennett College. After serving in the United States Army, he went on to work for 32 years as a switchman for L&N and then the CSX Railroad.
Claude enjoyed taking care of God's green earth as a farmer. He also adored his family, especially his grandchildren. In the past 13 years, he never missed one of his son-in-law's Friday night football games. In addition, he loved "cheering on" the UK basketball team with his family.
Claude is survived by his wife, Carol Thurmond Bentley; children: Chris Bentley, Cathy Bentley Mills and husband Wayne, and Chuck Bentley and wife Nicole; grandchildren: Elizabeth, Meghan, Seth and Brooke Mills, and Braden and Jackson Bentley; a brother, Kenneth H. Bentley and wife Shelby of Wilmington, DE; a sister-in-law, Jeannette Bentley, the widow of Ben H. Bentley of Mason, OH; as well as other family members and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home with Rev. Ronnie Mitchell and Rev. Dennis Chesnut officiating. Burial will be in the Bentley Family Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the American Legion Post #88 Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-9:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church.
Messages may be written to the family at