HERBERT JACKSON "JACK" BENTLEY

Herbert Jackson “Jack” Bentley was born on March 24, 1934 in Pound, Virginia and passed away February 21, 2025 at his home in Pound. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred “Millie” Bentley; parents, Benjamin and Martha (Cantrell) Bentley; brothers, Clifford Bentley, Harold Bentley, Doug Bentley, and Lloyd Bentley; and sisters, Beulah Honto, Jeanette Cvetnich, Reabul Bentley, and Margie Schoenwald. Jack is survived by his son, Jeremy Bentley of Pound.

While he went by “Jack”, most people around Pound and the neighboring towns knew him as the “Candyman.” Wherever he went–out to eat with Millie and Jeremy, taking Millie shopping, to doctors’ appointments and the cancer center–Candyman carried with him a giant bucket filled with assorted candies and treats that he handed out with a smile of encouragement to anyone who was lucky enough to cross his path. His reputation preceded him and people were always excited to see the Candyman coming. He brightened the days of countless people with his friendliness, generosity, positivity…and piece of chocolate or bubble gum!

After high school, Jack joined the service and was a SSgt in the United States Air Force for four years. Stationed out of March Air Force Base in Riverside, California, he was a Crew Chief for the 22nd Air Refueling Squadron. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. In addition to serving his country during his time in the Air Force, he also served his country and his community in his later years as a member of the Pound VFW where he took pride in honoring other veterans and their families.

After the service, Jack attended college at Clinch Valley College and, ever on a quest for knowledge, attended graduate school where he received his Master’s of Arts degree in English Literature. He brought his love of learning home with him and began teaching at Pound High School where he spent his career, serving as a teacher, baseball coach, and bus driver.

Jack made an impression on countless students’ lives. Perhaps none so much as the players he coached in baseball. Jack loved being a coach and working with the players and was very proud of them. He coached the Pound Wildcats from 1967-1989. His players are quick to praise Jack for always being there for the team, even taking money from his own pocket to purchase the team’s first uniforms, driving the team bus, and coordinating the maintenance of the field. Jack loved Pound Baseball. He coached the 1970 and 1971 Lonesome Pine District Champions, and the 1971 Region D runners-up.

When Jack wasn’t teaching or coaching, he was probably bowling! Jack and Millie were avid bowlers for years and enjoyed all the people they met during their time on bowling leagues. But Jack wasn’t just any bowler–in 1994 he bowled a perfect 300 game, an unbelievably difficult feat that requires great skill and determination. They even gave him a bowling pin from the game to keep as a trophy, and he displayed it at his house for all to see.  Jack was very proud of this accomplishment and so were all his bowling friends!

His friends and family were very important to Jack, and you could find many of them over the years taking a dip in his swimming pool that he gladly let all his family, particularly his young nieces and nephews, come and play in every summer. Many fun times were had at Jack, Millie, and Jeremy’s pool.

When you were there, you might get to take a peak at another of Jack’s prized possessions–his 1934 Chevrolet Coupe. The car has been in the family for 68 years and Jack considered it more than just a car, he considered it a member of the family. Amazingly, the date on the engine is March 30, 1934…six days after Jack was born. He fully restored the car, with the help of family and friends, after the 1977 flood and cherished it as a piece of history.

Jack loved his family very much, most of all he loved Millie and Jeremy. You very infrequently saw one without the others. They loved going out to restaurants and drove all over the place trying new ones. Wherever they went, they became quick friends with everyone who worked there and the service staff would always enjoy seeing Millie, Jeremy, and the Candyman come in for lunch.

The family would like to thank Jack’s special caregivers and friends: Vicky Stanley, Edith King, Drema Stanley, Ballad Hospice, as well as Karen and Jimmy Taylor, Brenda Brock, and Kevin and Melissa Hamilton, Frances Williams, and Les Stallard.

Visitation was held Monday, February 24, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm. The funeral followed at 7:00pm at Baker Funeral Home in Pound with Pastor Alan Sanders officiating. Graveside services will be Tuesday, February 25 at 11:00am at Bentley Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jeron Stidham, Brad Cvetnich, Nick Pilkenton, and Steve Countiss. Honorary pallbearers include Les Stallard and Jimmy Taylor. Pound VFW Post 9600 will perform military honors. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Pound Rescue Squad or Calvary Baptist Church. 

The staff at Baker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and extends our sincere sympathies to the family of Herbert Jackson "Jack" Bentley.