H.R. No. 153
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends will long cherish their memories
of Donald Lewis Benton of El Paso, who passed away on July 18, 2017,
at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, The son of Freida Ivey and Lewis Benton, Donald
Benton was born on December 29, 1936, and he was raised by his
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Ivey, in Fabens; he graduated from
New Mexico Military Institute before continuing his education at
Texas Tech University and Sul Ross State University, where he
earned his bachelor of science and master of engineering degrees;
he completed a second master's degree at Sam Houston State
University, and he answered his nation's call to duty as a member of
the United States Army; during his two years of military service, he
was assigned to work in bioacoustic research at the Walter Reed Army
Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, After returning to civilian life, Mr. Benton worked
as a teacher and coach in Fort Hancock, Tornillo, Socorro, and
Clint, and he was admired by his students for his enthusiasm and
sense of humor; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Benton enjoyed the love
and support of his wife, Betty, and their treasured family, which
included his three daughters, Penny, Brenda, and Wray, and his four
stepchildren, Shawndi, Stacy, Shelly, and Scott; his life was
further enriched by his nine grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren; in his leisure hours, he was fond of fishing,
hunting, and spending time at his lake house at Elephant Butte; a
member of the Masons for more than five decades, he held the title
of Worshipful Master at his local lodge from 2006 to 2009 and also
belonged to the Grand Scottish Rite and the Grand Lodge of Texas;
and
WHEREAS, Donald Benton led a full and generous life, and
although he will be greatly missed, he will always be remembered
with deep affection by those who had the good fortune to know him;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Donald Lewis Benton and extend sincere sympathy to the members of
his family: to his wife, Betty Benton; to his daughters, Penny
Hilliard and her husband, Michael, Brenda Prestangen and her
husband, Kyle, and Wray Jean Chavez and her husband, Adrian; to his
stepchildren, Shawndi Hickman and her husband, Grant, Stacy Smith
and her husband, Johnny, Shelly Hurley and her husband, Jared, and
Scott Smith; to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; to his
brothers, Rodger Benton and Leonard Benton; and to his other
relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Donald
Benton.
González of El Paso
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 153 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on August 15, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House