Erik Wayne Bentley

ERIK WAYNE BENTLEY

“Bentley”

Erik Wayne Bentley (“Bentley”), 37, sadly passed unexpectedly while returning home from watching his beloved 49ers, on October 24th, 2022.

Bentley was born August 2, 1985, in Gallup, NM to Roger W. Bentley (Delta, CO) and Cecilia R. Bentley (San Tan Valley, AZ). He attended elementary, middle/jr high school in Gallup, and for a short time attended Delta High School (Delta, CO).  He returned to Gallup to graduate high school in 2004. Growing up he spent summers in Delta on the family “Ranch” working and playing alongside brother Drew and father Roger.  He attended UNM School of Cosmetology (Gallup) and became a Master Barber in Dec 2008. After graduation, he worked in several local shops, honed his craft, and soon fully embodied the title of Master Barber!!  While perfecting his technique, he took time to honor community veterans with free cuts and volunteered when his skills could be useful.   In early 2018 he proudly opened "Bentley’s Barber Shop" fulfilling his dream of being a successful shop owner providing awesome fades and “sick designs” to his loyal clientele.

Bentley LOVED sports. He was both a die-hard San Francisco 49er and New York Yankees fan. He grew up playing baseball, played football in high school, and as an adult, enjoyed lifting weights, fishing, and playing men’s softball.  He played 15+ years on Ralph Richards' Earl’s Team which proudly won the ‘22 City Championship. Erik always looked up to Ralph not only as a sponsor and coach but also as a mentor.

Bentley shared his love of football with his son, Hayden, and with the next generation as a proud volunteer TDFL coach alongside his Brotha Man- Anthony Rosales for 10 years. He was an inspiring coach to so many (some might say he was splendiferous). Coach Bentley took great pride in being able to teach young athletes how to be great sportsmen, to work hard, be proud of every win and learn from every loss.

He loved his children with all his heart and did everything possible to provide for them. He was proud of what a wonderful athlete Hayden was becoming and was so proud of Monet’s uniquely amazing artistic talent. Bentley loved all of his very large family and loved his friends like family. He treated every person he met like a friend and never hesitated to drop everything to help anyone and everyone if he could. He lived life to its fullest, unapologetically at his own pace and to a beat all his own. He will be remembered for his goofy sense of humor, his infectious laugh, and his crazy facial expressions.

Bentley is survived by his son Hayden ”Hay-Don, Bud” Bentley, daughter Monet “Nay Nay Boo” Baldonado- Bentley, mother Cecilia R. Bentley, father Roger W. Bentley, sister Audra Tanner, her husband Kyle, children Kylynn and Kamden, twin brother Drew A. Bentley and his daughter Vivianna, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who he called his family. Bentley was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Betty Bentley, Sarah Dimas Romero, Eddie Romero, and his brother Daniel Bentley.

Services are to be held Sunday the 13th of November 2022

Wowie’s Event Center, Gallup.

Family, Friends, and community members who wish to pay their final respects to Bentley may attend a viewing service between 12 pm and 1:45 pm. Service in Celebration of Erik Wayne Bentley’s life will begin at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, a special savings account has been established by Cecilia R. Bentley for the benefit of Erik Bentley’s children Hayden and Monet Bentley. The family respectfully requests that all contributions be made through First Financial Credit Union referencing  Cecilia R. Bentley Special Savings #2- Hayden and Monet Bentley.

Arrangements are being facilitated by Cope Memorial Chapel Gallup, NM.