DR. THOMASv M. BENTON
Died May 15, 2014
May 15, 2014, Thomas M. Benton, 88, lost his long battle with Parkinson's disease at his farm in Spotsylvania, Va.
He was born in Wayne County, N.C., to the late James Luby and Gladys Louise Hinnant Benton.
Tom was drafted and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, where he served in the Pacific Theater on the islands of Tinian and Saipan.
He loved baseball, and played both in college and semi-pro.
He graduated from East Carolina Teachers College and the University of North Carolina, and received his doctorate from Duke University.
He taught and coached baseball in several public school systems, and served in public school administration his entire career, retiring as vice president of Lenoir Community College in Kinston, N.C.
His goal of raising cattle on his farm in Spotsylvania County was reached upon his retirement.
Tom is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara "Buzzy" Jones Benton; two children, Thomas Gregory Benton and his wife, Suuzy, of Spotsylvania, Va., and Amy Lynne Anderson and her husband, Brad, of Dallas, Texas; two sisters, Lillie Rose Hansen and Betty Louise Robinson; and a brother, John Emory Benton, all of Wayne County, N.C.
Survivors also include three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Tom was predeceased by two brothers, James Harold Benton and Richard Paul Benton, and a sister, Aldath Faye Hudson.
The family will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2014, at the family farm.
Expressions of sympathy can be made by donations to Hospice of Virginia or Parkinson's research.
An online guestbook is available at johnsoncares.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 20, 2014 1:49 PM