Kennis "Ken" Bentley

Kennis Elmer Bentley

November 26, 1938-September 4, 2026

Kennis E. Bentley, 87, of Lamar Colorado passed away peacefully September 4th, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born November 26th, 1938, in Greasy Creek, Pike County, Kentucky to parents Willie D. Bentley & Martha Caroline (Damron) Bentley. He was born the sixth child of eleven children.

Ken was a graduate of Virgie, Kentucky, High School. After graduation, he was employed by the Sante Fe Railroad as a station agent in New Mexico. In November of 1960, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Ky, as a paratrooper (jumping out of perfectly good airplanes) in the 101st Airbourne division in communications.

After military duty, he moved to Lamar Colorado and was hired as a plant operator by the City of Lamar Light and Power Department. On June 14th, 1964, Ken married Janice L. Appel, a Colorado native. They had one son, Kenneth Bentley, who now resides in Broken Arrow, OK. Ken continued to live his entire adult life in Lamar until early 2026, when he relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ken was an active member of the Lamar community. He was an avid bowler, golfer, bingo caller, and occasional horse-shoe pitching champion! He was a lifelong member of the Lamar Eagles Chapter where he served in various positions including Chapter and State President.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife Janice, his parents Willie and Martha, siblings Jimmy C., Alma, Robert, Bennett, Lizzie, Nona, MacArther and Gail.

He is survived by son Kenneth (Patty) Bentley, granddaughters Larissa (TJ) Turner and Miranda Bentley, great grandchildren Aria, Logan, and Merrick Turner, sisters Norma (Arnold) Sneller and June (Aubrey) Martin and many nieces and nephews and other extended family.

A memorial celebration of life for Ken will be held at a later date.