James Richard Benton

James Richard Benton November 1, 1932-July 6, 2017 James, R. Benton, 84, passed away peacefully July 6, 2017 at Lakeland Nursing and Rehabilitative Facility in Lakeland Florida. Mr. Benton was born on November 1, 1932 in Forest Glen, Maryland. After high school he signed up to serve in the United States Air Force, where he served for 10 years. After his service he entered Civil Service and worked at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC for 24 years. Mr. Benton is survived by his wife Rose Marie Benton, children: Jeff Benton, Shelly Wes Lott, and Woody Klinger; sisters: Betsy and Barbara Lee, brother John, 8 grandchildren: Wesley, Scotty, Oregon and Savannah Lott, Leila Blaton, Tyler, Morgan, Nolan, and Hogan Klinger; and great grandson Jeremiah. A visitation will be held on Monday July 10, 2017 from 10am to noon at Gentry-Morrison Serenity Gardens 3350 Mall Hill Drive Lakeland FL 33810. Burial will follow at Florida National Cemetery 6502 SW 102nd Ave Bushnell, FL 33513 at 2:30pm. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that you donate to Wounded Warriors in James name. A tribute to James “Chief” Richard Benton from beloved wife Rose Marie Benton. To start with- He was part Cherokee Native American- his paternal grandmother was full blooded Cherokee so consequently my term of endearment for him was “Chief” but depending on his mood determined if I called him Chief Sitting Bull or Chief Crazy Horse. At times he was rough and grumpy but with a heart the size of Texas. Whatever his children or friends or strangers needed he did what he could do to provide for their needs. He loved his family and friends very much. Now on a personal note concerning how we got together. We worked for the same company and met at a business meeting a few months later. We went to dinner and then got married in May. I was managing an apartment community and he was “traveling Maintenance Man”. Just shortly before we married I had three little ladies who needed some maintenance done and the man we had didn’t seem to care if he ever got any work done. Sooo I told them if they thought I was going to marry a maintenance man just for them-I wasn’t-famous last words but the rest is history. We had 26 years to make memories and we sure did. Chief loved birthday parties-especially “His” . He would let us know way in advance before the day so we could prepare and get his presents in plenty of time. Chief was proud of his county and proud to have served it. He received many letters and certificates of gratitude for his loyalty, devotion, and performance during his career in the Air Force, and in Civil Service at Andres Air Force Base. While at Andrews Air Force Base he met many Presidents from Kennedy to the first Bush. He stood guard over champagne at President Kennedy Inaugural Ball. Jackie Kennedy went to his uncle Zachary’s farm to ride horses and Chief had her riding crop for many years but gave it to an “ole cowboy” for teaching Woody how to ride horses because that’s the kind of man Chief was. Chief drove his Model T Ford Truck he had restored in a parade in Washington DC with President Ford and Bob Hope as his passengers- that was one of his favorite memories. Chief and Jeff his son at 14 pulled an old antique car out of a barn and they worked on restoring it for a year and got it running. Chief was happy when he worked on Old Cars and with his hands, he was a Jack of all trades and mastered them all. The last major project he did was to build a back porch on our home in Bronson with the help of his friends. What great times we had there on “this pouch” with family and friends. I and the family want to thank all their care and love for chief we truly appreciate it and thank you very much. After all is said and done what really matters is the dash between our birthday and death date- make that count-even at its longest it is still short and most important make time for the Lord and serve Him because that is your future for eternity. Love and thanks to all our family and friends who have been there for us between chief’s dash. Sincerely Chief and Rose Marie.

James Richard Benton

November 1, 1932 - July 6, 2017