David James Brentley, affectionately called Dave, was born on January 10, 1936 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was the fifth of nine children born to the late Roy Brentley, Sr. and Viola Brentley. He departed this life on February 20, 2026 into the arms of The Lord.

Being the middle of nine children, Dave fulfilled his role as the 'peacemaker' in the family. With his calm, deliberate, always-rational approach to any problem, he was THE go-to person to help settle differences between family members. Always polite and respectful with everyone, Dave demonstrated all the chivalrous behavior that he and his brothers had learned from their dad.

David attended Miller Elementary School and Fifth Ave Junior/Senior High School. He earned a B.A. Degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Dave put himself through college via scholarships, loans, and various side jobs. He was always seen as a go-getter. After graduating from Duquesne, he worked as a social worker at Kane Hospital, a facility specializing in geriatric care. Later, he worked for ALCOA Aluminum in Pittsburgh.

He enjoyed working for several other companies before starting Vidatt Energy Inc. He moved his family to Cleveland, Ohio to work as a district sales manager for Sohio/Bp overseeing multiple gas stations in the Cleveland area. In 1980 he started his career with the Chessie Railroad System (CXS). Dave was the first Black man to be hired as a sales manager for CXS. He was transferred to Cincinnati and continued to work for the Chessie system until he left in the late 1980’s to form his own company, Vidatt Energy Inc., a coal, oil, and lubricant brokerage business.

David balanced his extensive work career with his love of church. He had always been active in the church and its ministries, as his father Roy Sr. and his oldest brother, Roy Jr. were both pastors. David followed them and enrolled in the Diocese of Southern Ohio Procter Center, London Ohio and was ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. While a member at St. Andrews Church in Cincinnati, he served as president of the Men of St Andrew’s, served as Senior Warden, and sang in the men’s choir.

In the late 1990’s David transferred his Episcopal Deacon credentials to the United Methodist Church and became a licensed Local Pastor in the Ohio River Valley District in Cincinnati of the West Ohio Conference. He was appointed to Calvary United Methodist Church, where Reverend William “Bill” Davis, served as Senior Pastor. David taught Sunday School, was active in the United Methodist Men and visiting the Sick and Shut in. During his ministry at Calvary he met Karen W.Oldham… and in 2001 they were married.

In 2004, David transferred his membership to the newly- merged New Vision United Methodist Church. He served as associate pastor under Rev. Dr. Calvin Alston, Jr., Pastor Rick Nance and Pastor Merritt Worthen. He was actively involved in the visitation and bereavement ministries, Male Chorus, United Methodist Men, bible study and the Upper Room Sunday School class. In June 2015 David retired, as he was at mandatory retirement age, however he continued to serve as retired Local Pastor under Rev.Jeaninne Lewis Walker. In 2024 Peter E. Matthews was appointed as Senior Pastor at New Vision UMC, health issues led to Davids’ full retirement.

David is preceded in death by his first wife, Viola "Vi" Brentley; daughter-in-law, Anita (Thurmond) Brentley; siblings and their spouses, Roy (Aleta, Irene) Brentley, Jr., Harold "Bobby” (Bernice, Ophelia), Irvin (Essie) Brentley, Beverly "Lucille" Brentley, Betty Preston Brentley, Paul (Myra) Brentley and Carl (Pat) Brentley.

David is survived by his wife, Karen Oldham Brentley; sons, Thurmond Brentley and Trevor Brentley; grandsons, Cedric Brentley and Brian Brentley; granddaughter, Kennedi Daniels; step-sons, David Oldham and Dr. Kyle Oldham; brother, Norman Brentley and sister-in-law Bettye Brentley; 21 nieces and nephews, along with a host of grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.