RICHARD EUGENE BENTON

Richard “Dick” Eugene Benton was born on September 9, 1938, in Mackay, Idaho, and
passed away on November 14, 2025, in Lodi, California, surrounded by his loving family. We
will forever miss the stories he told, the excitement he had for his next travel adventure, and the
genuine kindness he showed to everyone he met.
Dick was born to Richard Armo Benton and Clara Jeanne Benton (Rabideau) and lived in Idaho
until age 14. In 1954, he moved to Danville, California, to live with his Aunt Wanda and Uncle
Vern. He graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1958 and went on to proudly serve
in the United States Air Force.
During his service, Dick married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn “Kay” Benton, on October
10, 1959. He loved to recall the night they met at a Halloween party—Kay with her flaming red
hair, dressed as a pirate and missing a dance partner—until he asked her to dance. From that
moment on, they were inseparable.
Dick and Kay later moved from Danville to Herald, California, where they raised their two
children, Kevin and Stacy. Dick opened Benton Fence and Drilling in Acampo, which he owned
and operated for more than 40 years. Through this work, he proudly served the local
community, building fences for families, schools, and cities all over the area.
He was also a respected member of both The Lodi Elks Lodge #1900 and The Moose – Lodi
Lodge #634. Dick loved traveling the country in the motorhome with Kay and their many RV
group friends, documenting each journey in the detailed journals he kept. He enjoyed
researching his family history, connecting with relatives near and far, and taking his wife on a
Sunday drive to go get dinner. He never missed an opportunity to share a story of his life, show
off a photo of his great-grandchildren, or talk about his next big trip.
Dick is survived by his wife of 66 years, Kathryn Benton; his children, Kevin (Kellie) Benton and
Stacy McKinney; and his sister, Sandra Jo (George) Cook. He will be lovingly remembered by
his grandchildren, Jake (Tamara) Howard, Kamille (Cole) Howard, and Kacie Benton; and his
great-grandchildren, Callen Howard, Hunter Howard, and Warren Duke.
A memorial service will be held on December 12, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Lodi Elks Lodge
#1900, 19071 N. Lower Sacramento Rd., Woodbridge, CA 95258. In lieu of flowers, the family
kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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