James Dudley Benton died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, July 25, 2008, in Bethesda, Md., after a long struggle with kidney cancer. He was born in Port Hueneme, Calif., on Aug. 18, 1951, grew up in Baton Rouge and resided in West Feliciana Parish. Jimmy graduated from Baton Rouge High School and attended The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., and LSU. Early in his career, he worked for Fraenkel Co. and for City National Bank. Jimmy began working for his father-in-law, Bertram F. Babers, purchased the company from him, and was in business with his father and brother at Benton Doors Inc. for many years. He later returned to work for Fraenkel Co., retiring in 2006. Jimmy’s greatest loves were God, his family and his ever-expanding circle of friends. It was evident to everyone who met him how readily and generously he shared his love, and how wonderful it was to be loved by him. His warm sense of humor and kindness drew others near. Jimmy was an active member of Grace Church, serving as senior warden of the vestry, chalice bearer, lay reader, acolyte, usher and was a member of several other committees. He was a great supporter of Wilkinson County Christian Academy, especially of the track and tennis programs; he also served as a trustee of Sewanee, the University of the South. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Susan Laurel Babers Benton; and seven children: Alyson Benton Curry, her husband Jason and their sons, Jackson and Patrick; Nancy Benton Roberts, her husband Trey, and their daughter Laurel; Ann Benton Fraser and her husband Andrew; James Michael Benton; William Babers Benton; Cary Jackson Benton; and Emma Nodl Benton. He is also survived by his parents, Joseph Herbert and Marjorie Emma Black Benton; two brothers, Joseph Herbert Benton Jr. and Robert Allan Benton and his wife, Julie; a sister, Robin Lynn Benton Crutcher and her husband, Bruce; three sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Nodl and Steve Parnell, Nancy and Cliff Colia, and Ellen Babers and Michael Ellis; an uncle, Curtis Benton and wife Margaret; and cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Friday, Aug. 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitation at Grace Church, St. Francisville, on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Requiem Eucharist to follow. Graveside ceremony will be at Lemon-Jackson Cemetery, St. John’s Church, Laurel Hill. Pallbearers will be Karl Alexander, Larry Bazzell, Francis Rinaudo, Jim Roland, Kenneth Stubbs, Jim Terrell, Bob Tucker, Charley Zeanah, and, in spirit, Lucy Plettinger. Honorary pallbearers are St. Claire Bienvenu, Frederick Billings, Jack Dampf, Albert Fraenkel, Mike Grace, Jeff Green, Lawrence Green, Frank McMains Sr., Tom McVea and Billy Wright. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Grace Church, P.O. Box 28, St. Francisville, LA 70775, Wilkinson County Christian Academy, P.O. Box 977, Woodville, MS 39669 or Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Attention: Office of Development, 4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Tags: 1973
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