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11/21/08 - NNHS Newsletter -
Julius Benton
Julius Daniel Benton
(01 July 1940 - 20 Nov 2008)
Newport News High School Class
of 1958 |
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Dear
Friends and Schoolmates,
We have yet another sad edition of the NNHS Newsletter this
morning.
Julius Benton,
Class of 1958, husband of
Renee Helterbran
Benton ('59) of VA, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2008 after a long
battle with Pick's Disease.

From Renee Helterbran Benton ('59) of VA - 07/18/08 - "Note to
Norm Covert":
Norm
Thank you so much for keeping
Julius
(Benton - '58 - of VA) in
your prayers;
he needs prayers now more than ever. On July 11, I was notified that he had
been rushed to the ER with a deep open gash at the bottom of his spine. How
this injury could possibly have occurred at the nursing home we'll probably
never know. The gash required 5 stitches and is located in a very precarious
location, as you can imagine. I was told by his physician that it will be
very difficult to heal and will require a great deal of tender care by the
nursing staff.
We are optimistic because Julius has beat all the odds thus far, including
coming back from pneumonia last fall. His spirits and strong well and a lot
of prayer are what pulled him through. We noticed he seemed to really rally
after being able to come home with the family overnight on Christmas Eve.
With that in mind, we are planning Christmas in August to revive his spirits
after this ordeal. We already have the Christmas tree up!
Thanks again, Norm
Renee

From Renee Helterbran Benton ('59) of VA - 11/20/08, 1:23 PM:
Just wanted to let you know
that Julius passed away this morning from Pick's disease. Since we are
donating his brain to Pick's research, funeral arrangements are pending until
after his brain has been harvested today.
Oh, Renee, I'm so sorry to hear this, but thank you for letting us know.
You and your daughters have my deepest sympathy.

From Renee Helterbran Benton ('59) of VA - 11/20/08, 8:02 PM:
The following arrangements
have been made for Julius, which will appear in Saturday's Daily Press:
Visitation will be
held Saturday, November 22, from 6-7 p.m. at the W. J. Smith Funeral
Home, 210 Harpersville Road, Newport News, (757-596-6911).
Funeral service will be at 2
p.m. on Sunday in Union Baptist Church, Hayes (Gloucester), VA, (804)
642-2332).
9254
Guinea Road
Hayes, Virginia
23072
804-642-2332
Burial in Parklawn Memorial
Park, 2551 North Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA, on Monday, November 24.
at 10 a.m.
Thank you again, Renee.


From
Al Simms
('60) of VA -
11/20/08:
Renee,
I am so sorry to hear this.
Julius, Durwood Adams and
Chuck Anspach ('60 - of NC)
were the three guys that I remember who could really make a trumpet sing while
I struggled along with mine just trying to not mess up the music for
everyone. Julius's fingers just seemed to glide on the keys. I know that you
will miss him and know that a lot of people are thinking not only about him
but also about you.
Al Simms
Thank you, Al.


From the Daily
Press - 11/22/08:
Julius Daniel Benton
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BENA - Julius Daniel Benton
Jr., 68, passed away at 1:23 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, after a long
battle with Pick's Disease.
He was born July 1, 1940, to Julius Daniel Benton Sr. and Mary Edna Knowles
Benton in Rose Hill, N.C.
He was a graduate of Newport News High School and the Newport News Shipyard
Apprentice School. He worked 18 years as a Designer in the Hull Drawing Room
of the Newport News Shipyard, after which he was employed as a Senior
Designer for M. Rosenblatt & Son, Arlington, Va., until his retirement in
1997. He was a member and Deacon of First Baptist Church in Newport News,
and later a member of Union Baptist Church in Achilles, and a member of
Poquoson Baptist Church in Poquoson. He was also a member of the Union
Baptist Church choir and frequently played his trumpet during services. |
Julius Daniel Benton |
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Julius taught himself to play
the trumpet at a young age and excelled at it throughout his lifetime. He
played in the high school bands and was voted Most Talented in his Senior
Class. He continued his trumpet playing after completing his education,
performing with the bands of Tommy Phelps, Kendall Parker, and Jett Rollo at
various clubs throughout the area. One of the joys of his life was becoming
friends with legendary jazz trumpeter, Maynard Ferguson. Any time he
attended one of Maynard's performances, Maynard always introduced him to the
audience as 'my favorite ship designer'. When Julius became ill and Maynard
was performing in Virginia Beach, he was invited to his own private concert
by Maynard and his band.
Travel was one of Julius' great loves, especially in his motor home. He
served as National Treasurer of Bounders of America for over six years. He
was also President of the Piedmont Area Bounders Chapter.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Renee Helterbran Benton; daughters,
Sherri Jeyne Benton Clark and husband, B.J., of Stafford and Ware Neck,
Kristi Lynn Benton of Stafford, and Julie Ann Benton of Virginia Beach;
granddaughters, Kendall Sheridan Hargis and Kayla Diane Clark; and many
nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the
W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 210 Harpersville Road, Newport News. A
celebration of life service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at
Union Baptist Church, Achilles, by Pastor John Pouchot of Poquoson Baptist
Church and Pastor Clint Shondelmyer of Immanuel Bible Church. Special music
will be provided by D.C. Washington, Meribeth Puckett, and Sarah and Chris
Layman of Immanuel Bible Church, Springfield, VA. Friends and family are
asked to share fellowship in the social hall at Union Baptist Church
following the service. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in
Parklawn Memorial Park, Hampton.
Julius' brain has been donated to the National Institutes of Health for
Pick's Disease research; hopefully, he will play a part in finding a cure
for Pick's Disease. The family would like to extend deep gratitude to the
staffs of The Orchard and Riverside Hospice in Warsaw, Va., for the kind and
loving care they provided him during the last 6-1/2 years of his life.
Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. View and post condolences
on our online guestbook at
dailypress.com/guestbooks.
Published in the Daily Press
on 11/22/2008.
Guest Book
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Saturday,
November 22, 2008
Dear Renee and Family, I
am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers
at this very sad time.
—Brownie
Shaffer Haracivet,
Gloucester,
Virginia
Saturday,
November 22, 2008
Renee, I am so sorry to
hear about Julius. From what little I know of this disease, he must
have waged an incredible war to live. You are in my prayers as I
know this has been such a struggle for you and your family.
Jane Monfalcone Simmons
—Jane
Simmons,
Dahlonega,
Georgia
Contact Me
Saturday,
November 22, 2008
Dear Renee and Family
Joe and I were so sorry to hear about Julius. He did put up a
courageous battle with such an insidious disease. Hopefully a cure
will be found soon. I know you all miss him terribly. Joe and I will
see you tomorrow.
Love to you all - Lynn and Joe Hickman
—Lynn
Hickman,
Suffolk,
Virginia
Saturday,
November 22, 2008
Renee and family, you
probably won't remember me, but I am Dale and Morris built your
house in Bena. I am extremely sorry for your loss. I wasn't aware
that Julius was having problems until B J told me. My thoughts and
prayers are with you and your family.
—Dale
Davis,
Mathews,
Virginia
Saturday,
November 22, 2008
Dear Renee. We were sorry
to learn that Julius has passed on. He put up a long hard fight and
we know you will miss him. May God bless you and your family in this
time of sorrow. We will see you at the funeral home this evening.
Leon & Marie Bailey
—Leon
Bailey,
Virginia Beach,
Virginia
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Once again, our sincerest
condolences are
extended to Renee and the entire Benton family at this time.

This information is also
posted here:
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam-all.html
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam58.html
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/band-58.html

From Bill Prillaman ('60) of VA - 12/09/08 - "Julius Benton":
Carol,
Please pass on to
Renee (Helterbran) Benton ('59 - of VA) and
her family, my condolences on the loss of her husband, Julius.
I remember many times listening to his great talent
on the trumpet and marveling at his solos while I tried to keep up with my
trombone in the background.
Please know that my prayers are with the family for
God's love and comfort at this sad time.
Bill Prillaman (NNHS 60)
Thank you, Bill! Julius' trumpet solos were nothing short
of phenomenal!
I forwarded your note
to Renee.

From Renee Helterbran Benton ('59) of VA - 12/09/08:
Hi, Bill
I remember you well. Thank you so much for your message. It really helps that
you and so many others have such fond memories of Julius.
Renee
Thank you, Renee! That is a comfort, isn't it?


Y'all take good care of each
other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll
Always Have
Buckroe!
Love to all, Carol
==============================================
NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE:
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE:
http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat
==============================================
Carol Buckley
Harty
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408

Be Still, My Soul
Words by
Katharina von Schlegel, b.
1697,
Translated by Jane Borthwick (1813 - 1897);
Music by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Be still, my soul:
The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul:
Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul:
The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

"Be Still, My Soul"
midi sequenced by my then 18 year old #6 son, Dale Harty - 04/16/02
Thanks, Dale!
"Be Still, My Soul"
lyrics transcribed by Carol Buckley Harty ('65) - 04/16/02
Greg Olsen
Paintings courtesy of
http://gregolsengallery.com –
01/27/05
Blackwork
Flowers Divider Line clip art courtesy of
http://www.bravenet.com
- 08/12/04
Army Seal clip art courtesy of Al
Farber ('64) of GA - 05/24/06
Thanks, Al!
Back to NNHS Newsletters - 2008
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Class of 1965