Harold L. Benton

Harold L. Benton, age 84 of Avondale Estates, GA died November 18, 2011 from kidney failure brought on by complications from diabetes. Harold was born in Atlanta on September 28, 1927; he grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Tech High School in Atlanta in 1944. Harold joined the United States Navy in 1945 and served until 1948. He began his Navy career in San Diego and then transferred to Washington, DC where he served for the Chief of Naval Operations. During his time in Washington, he was often at the White House. Also while in Washington, he often enjoyed daily walks with President Truman. Ultimately he was transferred to Newport, Rhode Island where he served at the Naval War College. Harold left the Navy with an honorable discharge as a Yeoman Second Class in 1948. He joined Mack Trucks in 1948 and began a career in the heavy truck sales business that lasted until his retirement in 2008. During his career, he had a wide variety of experiences, including owning his own truck sales company. He ultimately retired in January 2008 after a successful period of time with Nalley Motor Trucks. While working, Harold attended Georgia State University at night for nine years, culminating in a business degree in 1959. Harold was an avid golfer and a long-time member of East Lake Country Club. He was also a long-time patron at the Masters golf tournament, a loyal fan of the University of Georgia football program and a big fan of NASCAR racing. Harold was an excellent bowler and softball player. Harold was a member Avondale Estates Baptist Church. He was a 50 year Mason and a 32nd Level Shriner. In 2004, Harold received a kidney donated by his daughter, Debbie, at the Piedmont Hospital Transplant Center; at the time, he was the oldest kidney transplant recipient at the Center. Above all, Harold enjoyed being “Big Daddy” to his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Irene of Avondale Estates; son, Terry Benton of Lawrenceville; daughter and her husband, Debbie and Chip Williams of Atlanta; son and his wife, David and Dee Ann Benton of Gainesville, GA; daughter, Suzan Benton of Marietta; grandson, Chip Cathey and Christa Edgar of Atlanta; grandson and his wife, Jeff and Heather Cathey and great grandson Luke of Troutman, NC; grandson, Trey Cathey of Atlanta; granddaughter and her husband, Laura Lane and Thomas Louie and great granddaughter Ann Carter of Greenville, SC; grandson, Mark Benton and his fiance, Lindsey Miller of Spartanburg, SC; brother and his wife, Gene and Jeneal Benton of Tucker, GA; nephew and his wife, Boone and Coralie Benton and their children, Taylor, Matthew, and Abigail of Atlanta; niece and her husband, Christy and Chris Kramer and their daughter, Kendall of Atlanta. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gaynell Benton of Avondale Estates; brother, Bob Benton of Tucker, GA. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 21, 2011 with Dr. J. Truett Gannon officiating. In lieu of flowers: please make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256; woundedwarriorproject.org. The family will receive friends this afternoon (Sunday) from 4 to 6 PM at A. S. Turner & Sons.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033