Tim Bentley, 55, loved politics and journalism

Tim Bentley didn’t live long enough to see President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

The dyed-in-the-wool Democrat died Jan. 11 after hanging onto every bit of political news throughout the long election season.

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Family photo

Tim Bentley (left) was part of Jimmy Carter’s Peanut Brigade, working toward Carter’s election as president.

“He was extremely, extremely happy with the election of Obama,” said his brother, Mike Bentley of Blanco, Texas. “He was really wrapped up in the campaign, and at least he got to see that.”

Mr. Bentley lived and breathed politics from the time he was a teenager.

He served as president of the Young Democrats of Georgia and tromped through the New Hampshire snow in 1976 as a member of Jimmy Carter’s Peanut Brigade.

“He was married a few times,” his brother said, “but politics was his mistress. It probably cost him all three of his marriages.”

Tim Bentley, 55, died in his sleep at his mother’s Decatur residence. He had been ill for several years with pulmonary disease.

The body was cremated. At his request, there were no services. A.S. Turner & Sons was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Bentley built his life and career around politics, journalism and public policy.

He worked for former Gov. Zell Miller, the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and former Georgia Secretary of State Max Cleland. “I never would have gotten elected to the Secretary of State’s office or to the U.S. Senate without Tim Bentley because he knew Georgia and he knew Georgia politics,” said Mr. Cleland of Atlanta. “He was young and talented and I saw that and made him campaign manager, and we became fast friends.”

Mr. Bentley wrote and edited for Georgia Times, the Georgia Capitol Report and Business to Business, and contributed freelance articles to Georgia Trend, the Fulton County Daily Report, the Atlanta Business Chronicle and other publications.

“He was such a good writer, and he knew how to write politicians’ speeches and make them look good,” his brother said.

“He kept things light and was really loyal to the people he worked for, and they were really loyal back to him.”

As a native Atlantan who had witnessed its civil rights struggles firsthand, Mr. Bentley abhorred discrimination and was particularly proud that he helped Jackson become Atlanta’s first black mayor.

“Tim was this little white boy who was just totally attracted to this big, old booming, confident lawyer,” his brother said. “He worshipped Maynard.”

Mr. Bentley had a huge soft spot for dogs and volunteered at the Atlanta Humane Society.

One of his dying wishes was to have his ashes scattered at his favorite spot, Jekyll Island, with those of his dog of 20 years, Puppers, who died a few years ago.

The other was to discourage others from smoking.

“Tim had an optimism about politics and about life and about people that just didn’t die,” Mr. Cleland said. “He always seemed hopeful that good things could happen in life, and that politics could be something positive and fun and good that people could all participate in.”

He is also survived by his mother, Jane Hays Bentley of Decatur.