Edward Benton

Edward DeWayne Benton, Sr. was born on May 13, 1956, in Muskogee, to John R Benton and Shirley J Reece Parsons of Porum.

He grew up the oldest of eight children, Mike Parsons, Melvin Parsons, Betty Parsons Luna, Bobby Parsons, George Parsons, Loretta Benton Martens and Rosetta Benton.

During his school years he thrived in spelling, music and cleanliness. Throughout his life he thoroughly enjoyed playing the guitar. While spending his summers baling hay he grew to 6 feet 5 inches tall! His first motorcycle, his first car, his first big truck and the stylish clothes he enjoyed were all earned with hard work.

At age 17 he entered the Army. Although a knee injury ended his military career earlier than he wished, he was blessed by the talents his family shared. Horsemanship, auto mechanics, concrete finishing and heavy equipment operation made him a living until he was challenged into truck driving. That became his lifelong vocation. 

Over-the-road driving wasn’t the only occupation he enjoyed. He spent time as a police officer in Webbers Falls, buying, training, and selling horses and worked to get his private investigators license.

In the midst of earning a living he was blessed with a son Edward “Fred” D Benton, Jr. and wife Jennifer, six grandchildren Shaylun Benton Pearce, Cheyenne Benton Foulks, Travis Terrell, Starla Terrell, Jacob Terrell and El Waylon Benton, along with four great-grandchildren Paisley, Emma, Brilee and Kaylynn. He also enjoyed the 300 foster children he cared for.

He passed away with his wife Renae by his side in Lemitar, N.M., June 26, 2020.

Services will be held at the Assembly of God Church in Porum, on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 10 a.m. and  burial at Cramp Cemetery, Porum.