John David Bentley

John David Bentley of Midland, TX was taken home to be with the Lord on September 12, 2014 in Katy, TX at the age of 64.John was born to Margie and Jack Bentley on April 13, 1950. He spent his early years on a farm near Stanton, TX until the family moved to Midland. Graduating from Midland High School in 1968, he met Ricka Holloway that summer. John and Ricka fell deeply in love and wanted to get married.  When her parents objected, they stole away to Mexico and were married there. That was nearly 45 years ago. After getting married, they joined Main Street Church of Christ where they were baptized together and began their lives.Those who knew John knew that he had a tremendous work ethic – a passion he passed on to his children.  In addition to working full time at the United States Post Office, he started a real estate leasing company in 1986 and built it up to become a thriving and successful business.  Through his diligent hard work, he ensured his family was always provided for.  He single handedly guaranteed that the Home Depot would stay in business because he had perfect attendance every weekend. John had a very personal attachment to his rental business, and always believed in a hands on approach to them, taking great care to ensure that any work that needed doing was done well.  He recently retired from the Post Office after 29 years to work on his real estate business and spend more time with his family.As a landlord, John was truly kind.  He sincerely had a heart for people who were suffering and worked with his renters in every possible way when they fell on hard times.  He understood what it was like to live with physical ailments, family emergencies, and plain old bad luck. His compassion may not have made the most business sense, but he never failed to give people the benefit of the doubt.In spite of this dedication to hard work, John truly loved to make people laugh and is probably best known for his witty and dry sense of humor. He loved to play jokes and oftentimes spoke in a comical language all his own, translating words like popcorn into “mompeas”, and microwave into “crimowave”, and always with a particular fondness for all things involving turnips.John is survived by his wife, Ricka, and their three children; Tawnya Green and husband Tim, William Bentley and wife Melissa, and Timothy Bentley and his wife Shoshawna. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Matthew Green, Victoria Green, Elizabeth Green, Sheridan Bentley, Graham Bentley, Reagan Bentley, Justin Bentley, and Maximus Bentley.Although his passing was sudden, his final day here was spent with family and grandchildren. It was a day full of laughter, love, and good food. John will be deeply missed by his wife and children, and especially his grandchildren who called him Grandpa Doe or simply “Doe ey”, a title bestowed on him by his first grandchild, Matt.The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 from 6:00-8:00pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 1:00PM with Justin Wood officiating at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel at 3800 N. Big Spring St., Midland, Texas, 79710.  Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland.The family suggests memorials be donated to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 1132, Fairfax, VA, 22038.Arrangements are under the directions of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com ,