Jack Edgar Bentham, Phd

Dr. Jack Edgar Bentham, a dedicated psychologist, consultant, and U.S. Army veteran, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2025, in Granbury, Texas, at the age of 79. He was the son of the late Alice Richards Bentham and the late Keith Fielding Bentham. He was also predeceased by his sister, Kaye Bentham Stone. Born on April 11, 1945, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dr. Bentham was a lifelong learner and accomplished professional. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Western Maryland College in 1967, followed by a Master’s in Education, specializing in Special Education, from the University of Delaware in 1968. His passion for rehabilitation and psychology led him to pursue a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Scranton in 1970. He further honed his expertise through a clinical psychology internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 1972 to 1973 before earning his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Texas Tech University in 1973. While attending Texas Tech, Dr. Bentham taught in the Department of Special Education and served as the first Director of Contact Teleministries of Lubbock. Dr. Bentham served with honor as a Major in the United States Army from 1970 to 1980. Following his military service, he transitioned into the fields of organizational development and clinical counseling. In 1980, Dr. Bentham founded ExecuCenter Associates which was one of the first Employee Assistance Programs in the State of Texas, serving more than 300,000 employees and their families. With more than 20 years of consulting experience in the energy industry, he worked extensively with Comanche Peak Electric Station for more than two decades. He was also the founder of Bentham Enterprises, a clinical counseling center that impacted many lives. Dr. Bentham was not only a respected professional but also a devoted family man. He left behind a wife of 54 years, Susan, two sons, John (wife Shannon) and Philip (wife Connie) and eight grandchildren: Jackson, Isaac, Blaze, Dylan, Zane, Ben, Eliana and Phinley. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Robin Bossio, Valerie Witscher, Lori Mullins, Keith Stone, and Johnna Postic. He was an avid lover of all sports and enjoyed rooting for all of the local teams. Growing up, Dr. Bentham was an incredible athlete himself. He was Team Captain of his college baseball team and received The Jim Boyer Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Senior Student Baseball Player in 1967. In 2000, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Western Maryland College. Dr. Bentham’s legacy of service, knowledge, and compassion will continue to inspire those who knew him and his influence and contributions will live on in the countless lives he touched. A memorial service will be held in his honor at First Christian Church of Granbury, on April 12th at 3pm (2109 W US Hwy 377).In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to First Christian Church of Granbury, 2109 W US Highway 377, Granbury, Texas 76048.