H. Farrar Bentley

Funeral service for H. Farrar Bentley, 88, of Nacogdoches will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Noel Dear officiating.

H. Farrar Bentley passed away on November 21, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Born in 1937 at Nix Maternity Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, Farrar was the son of Maria Rafaela Farrar and John Freeman Kasper.

Farrar was a devoted student earning his bachelor's degree in anthropology and archaeology from the University of Texas and a master's degree in liberal arts from Southern Methodist University. Farrar often reminded others, "No one can take away your education."

Farrar continued his education when he returned to Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology and became an ordained Methodist minister.

Farrar served as a bi-vocational minister for thirty-one years. Farrar began his ministry at Redland United Methodist Church in Redland, Texas, and completed his service of twenty-nine years at Chireno United Methodist Church in Chireno, Texas. Farrar's love for God was above all else.

Farrar always had a way of turning any conversation into hours of meaningful, enjoyable talk. Farrar's curiosity and eagerness to understand life, cultures, people, and academics was nothing short of extraordinary. He had a rare ability to sit with anyone-whether a lifelong friend or someone he had just met-and fully engage that person. He kept up effortlessly in every conversation, asking sharp questions, offering thoughtful insights, and often nudging others to reconsider their own assumptions. His mind never stopped reaching outward, and his heart never stopped wanting to learn more. He was a natural leader in the quietest, most gentle way-anchored in his beliefs, yet always open to new perspectives, deeper understanding, and the kind of honest, uncomfortable dialogue that brings people closer. His sense of wonder, his inquisitiveness, and his hunger to understand the world have shaped all of us who knew him.

Farrar took great pride in his lifelong involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. Farrar was a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America for seventy-five years. He is an Eagle Scout, was awarded the Silver Beaver, earned Wood Badge beads, as well as honored as a Vigil of the Order of the Arrow. One of his greatest honors was attending the Eagle Scout ceremonies of all of his sons and all of his grandsons.

Farrar was a dedicated member of Rotary International. He was a Paul Harris Fellow, the bulletin editor, and a past president.

Farrar was an active supporter and past president of the Nacogdochers Booster Club, Scottish Rite, and a Colonel (Chaplain), Texas State Guard, retired.

Farrar was a member of Milam Lodge #2, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas, having been raised a Master Mason in Dallas, Texas 1974.

Farrar dedicated 39 years of service to the Social Security Administration. Helping people navigate new stages of life brought him tremendous fulfillment.

Farrar met his beautiful wife, MaryAnn Schramel, while attending the University of Texas. They married on November 18, 1961. Farrar and MaryAnn were in their sixty-fifth year of marriage, and always took great joy in sharing their lives side by side and hand in hand.

Together they raised five children: Christopher Bentley (Anne) of Nacogdoches, Texas, Stephen Bentley (Deanna) of Austin Texas, Andrew Bentley (Joan) of Tyler, Texas, Annemarie Bentley Story (Stephen) of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Katherine Bentley Eshelman (Dallas) of Denton, Texas.

His family grew to include twelve grandchildren: Rebekah Garcia (Joseph) of Whitehouse, Texas, Christopher Bentley (Charity) of Nacogdoches, Texas, Caroline Ginty (Andrew) of Houston, Texas, William Bentley (Shelbi) of Whitehouse, Texas, Elizabeth Brooks (Lee) of St. Petersburg, Florida, Miles Bentley of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Harrison Owens of Houston, Texas, Abigail Bentley of Tyler, Texas, Evan Eshelman, of Portsmouth, Virginia, Bryn Eshelman of Denton, Texas, Logan Story of Carrollton, Texas, and Samuel Bentley of Tyler, Texas.

Additionally, Farrar was blessed with five great grandchildren: Emerson Bentley, Anna Catherine Brooks, Averie Bentley, Rey Garcia, and Colbie Bentley.

Farrar cherished his fondest memories with his family-playing the piano, sharing his love of music, attending sporting events, going to dance lessons and scouting activities, playing with trains alongside his children and grandchildren, and decorating for and celebrating every holiday.

Farrar's funeral will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Visitation with the family will be from 9:15 am - 10:00 am in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches, Texas followed by the service at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches, Texas. Dr. Noel Dear will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Farrar and MaryAnn Bentley Education Fund through Stephen F. Austin State University.

Contact Chris Bentley, Director of Development, at 936-468-4556 (office) or chris.bentley@sfasu.edu for more information.

You may also use SFA's physical address, which is:

Stephen F Austin State University - Chris Bentley - Austin Building - suite 303 - PO Box 6092 - SFA Station - Nacogdoches, Texas 75962