James L. Bentley

James Lee Bentley, 76, was born in Casper, Wyoming, Palm Sunday March 21, 1948 to John F. and Frances (Mosteller) Bentley. He attended Casper Schools including NCHS until he joined the Navy in 1965. He completed boot camp and Corp school in San Diego, CA. Then served aboard the hospital ship USS Repose as a Navy Corpman in Vietnam. He finished his Naval Service at the Naval Hospital in Corpus Christi, TX, where he met his wife, a fellow Navy Corpman, Pamela H. Carpenter. They were married Sept. 7, 1969 and started their lives together in the ranching business. After the Navy he attended and graduated Casper College.

They raised 4 children on the Green Law Place; Stormy Bentley, Frosty (Bryan) Malone, Jim (Jennifer) Bentley all on the ranch at Leo,Wy, and CJ (Stephanie) Bentley, Casper,Wy. He was blessed with 8 grandsons; Ty (Ryliann), Colter (Sydney), Clayton (Lysa), Tel, Teagan (Gwyneth), Caleb, Cayden, and Casen, 1 granddaughter Tilly and 3 great grandchildren Bentley, Falyn, and Kal.

He loved his wife of 55 years dearly! He was always teaching his kids and grandkids about horses, cows and ranching. He loved kids, cows, horses, dogs, redwood and mayonnaise. He was a champion of the underdog and always willing to help someone in need. He enjoyed visiting with friends and strangers alike. He never missed an opportunity to go to rodeos with his family and hauled his children many miles to rodeos and 4H/FFA events. Jim was a passed president of the Natrona County Woolgrowers, and a passed long time member of the Natrona County Weed and Pest board.

He passed away June 25, 2024, at home on the ranch knowing he was loved very much, due to complications of esophageal cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents. In addition to his wife, children and families, he is survived by his brother John Bentley and many cousins. The family will celebrate his life at the annual gathering for Fall Shipping.