Obituary of Robert L. Benton

ROBERT L. BENTON Robert L. (Bob) Benton, age 92 of Charlotte passed away on March 7, 2013. Husband, father, fighter pilot, businessman and church leader, he lived life as a humble member of the greatest generation. Bob was born in Benton Heights, NC on February 2, 1921, the son of Walter F. Benton and Minnie H. Benton. As a young man, Bob worked as a clerk in his father's grocery store in Benton Heights and later graduated from Kings College in Charlotte. Bob was a decorated Veteran of World War II. He was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he earned his wings both as a glider pilot and as a fighter pilot of the P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. He flew missions in the D-Day invasion of France, the Battle of the Bulge and numerous other campaigns of the War in the European Theater of operations. On July 16, 1944 while on his twentieth combat mission, Bob was engaged with the enemy over occupied France when his aircraft was hit by ground fire. Although his P-47 was partially disabled, he was able to return his craft to England where he was then forced to parachute out of his plane. After recovery from his injuries, he was able to return to flight operations. By the end of World War II, Bob had flown 65 combat missions and earned the distinction of being awarded the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, the Army Air Medal with eleven Oakleaf Clusters and a Presidential Citation. At the end of the War, Bob married Elsie Smith Benton, his wife of sixty six years who predeceased him in death in January, 2012. Together they raised three sons. Bob retired as an employee of Belk Department Store in uptown Charlotte where he worked with dedication for forty-one years as the Display Manager and as a Merchandise Manager. He delighted generations of Charlotte children with his animated toy display windows along College Street at Christmas in the 1950's and 1960's. After retirement, Bob received recognition for twenty-five years of service as a volunteer for the Friendship Trays organization. He was a Life Deacon at St. John's Baptist Church and a loyal member of the Durden Sunday School class. Bob is survived by his sons, Kenneth R. Benton, Don T. Benton and James Kevin Benton and their wives, Deborah H. Benton, Jean H. Benton and Laura F. Benton. Mr. Benton was the proud and loving grandfather to Jason R. Benton and his wife, Rebecca R. Benton, Mindy L. Benton Vergakis and her husband, Taylor C. Vergakis, Jordan A. Benton, Katheryn A. Benton Nail and her husband, Jay W. Nail, Jessica M. Benton Lobdell and her husband, Simon Lobdell, Matthew T. Benton and his wife, Stepanie M. Benton, David L. Benton, Tyler J. Benton and Nora Frances Benton and to his great-grandchildren, Jacob T. Benton, Kennady M. Benton, Hutson "Hutch" E. Benton, Eva Grace Vergakis, Emmitt J. Vergakis, Elsie Taylor Vergakis, Benjamin W. Nail, Holden M. Nail and Emeline A. Lobdell. Bob will be remembered by his family and his friends as a man who lived a quiet life as a gentle person and as a servant to his country and to his God. His life was one of sacrifice which he realized was the greatest gift of love that one can give to another. He was a man who never found it difficult to tell someone that he loved them. He always kept a smile on his face, and extended warm hugs of affection to the people in his life. Bob lived his life as he played his beloved game of golf---with the attitude that "it never rains on the golf course". A private graveside service for the family will be held in Sharon Memorial Park with a service to celebrate the life of Mr. Benton to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2013 at St. John's Baptist Church with Dr. Dennis Foust officiating. The family will receive friends immediately after the service in Broach Hall at the Church. Memorials in honor of Mr. Benton may be made to St. John's Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204.