Surrounded by family, Douglas Lee (Doug) Benton, 74, of Kingsland passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Doug was born on Feb. 7, 1947, in Bogart to the late Howard Lee and Myrtie Odean Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant granddaughter, Judith Lynn Benton.
Doug is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Loretta Keene Benton, and their five children: Angela McManigal, Catherine Moore (William), Lorie Smith (Orlando), Michael Benton (Jessica) and Brian Benton (Crystal) along with one sister, Beverly Mathews (Randy) of Macon. Along with his five children, he is also survived by 11 grandchildren who affectionately refer to him as Papa: Kyle (Amy) Moore, Turner Moore, Benton McManigal, Coco McManigal, Brooke Moore, Sara Moore, Charlotte Benton, Jayna Smith, Grady Benton, Ross Smith and Mattie Benton.
Doug Benton was raised in Macon and was a 1965 graduate of Willingham High School. After graduation, he and his best friend, Eddie Cannon, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps through the Buddy Deal Program. After boot camp at Parris Island, Doug was sent to Da Nang, South Vietnam, where he served our country for 13 months. Doug achieved the rank of corporal and earned the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
After returning home to Macon from his military service, Doug worked in the grocery industry before moving with his wife and two young daughters to her home of Kingsland to pursue work in the exterminating business. From humble roots, Doug worked for decades and achieved success as a small business owner.
Doug was an avid sports enthusiast who loved the Camden Wildcats, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves. He began serving our community in the late 70s by helping develop a little league program for athletes. He coached youth sports for 30 years, and most of his athletes turned from his players to lifelong friends. Doug continued to give back to his community by serving 12 years on the Kingsland City Council before being elected to the board of education in 1988. During his tenure with the Camden County Board of Education, Doug helped usher in huge growth for our school system including the construction of five schools. When Doug retired in 2016, he had the honor of being one of the longest seated board of education members in the history of the state of Georgia.
Though community service was a huge part of Doug’s life, nothing was more important to him than being a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved the holidays with a house filled with grandchildren and good food.
Doug selected his pallbearers as Lee Barber, Edward Bruce, Steve Conner, Mike Joiner, Robbie Nettles and Ronnie Wise. Honorary pallbearers will be Rafael Campbell, Eddie Cannon, Marty Gillette, Josh Joiner, Justin Joiner, Tony Sheppard, Skip Swain, Beau Sweatt, Carlton Smith and Grant Wise.
The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6 at Coastal Camden Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held graveside at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7 at Lawnwood Cemetery in Kingsland.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Doug Benton to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Fund A Cure program (JDRF), where 100% of each contribution supports therapies to improve lives for those with Type 1 diabetes. Checks may be mailed to JDRF Northern Florida, 1850 Lee Road, Suite 132, Winter Park, FL 32789, or donate online at https://tinyurl.com/JDRFinMemoryofDougBenton.