Lawrence "Larry" Cleveland Benton

Lawrence (Larry) Cleveland Benton, 73, passed away April 25, 2024. He was born March 30, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri. His loving parents, Betty C. and Delbert C. Benton, remained in the Kansas City area where he attended grade school and made many happy memories with his cousins, Stan and Shelley, as well as spending time with his maternal grandparents. Bowling became a favorite pastime as he began at the early age of 8. This proved to be a skill he built upon and when he was 16 years old won the Missouri State Junior Bowlers Doubles Championship with a friend. Larry was a Shawnee Mission East High School graduate and played Freshman football on the “A” team despite his lean build. That spring he ran track and got a Numeral in track as a half-miler. His senior year found him lettering in this sport as well as lettering in cross country as the #3 runner. Joining the Navy Junior ROTC program at Shawnee Mission East, he was happy to be in the first year for an ROTC program in that school district. The following summer he went on a Navy ROTC training cruise for 6-7 weeks travelling to Honolulu, Hawaii, San Francisco and Victoria, British Columbia. Quite an experience for a young man and an opportunity to manage some beginning surfing skills in Hawaii on the side! Later in his mid 30’s, he enlisted in the Army Reserves and began basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and subsequent training at Ft. Rucker, AL for Flight Operations Coordinator. At the age of 21 Larry began working for the Johnson County Herald, a weekly newspaper with offices in Mission, KS. He was hired as a reporter/photographer. This triggered his love for journalism and photography (a hobby that stayed with him the rest of his life). He entered Kansas University in the fall to study journalism, with an emphasis in Photojournalism. Other employment included the Sun Newspaper in Johnson County for about seven years. After interviewing a USAF pilot at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base as a high school sophomore class assignment, he developed an interest in becoming a pilot. He was encouraged to join the Civil Air Patrol and had the opportunity to encounter his first airplane ride in a small single engine 4-seater. This led to another road in his life and at the age of 35 he enrolled in the aviation program at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO. After 30 hours of instruction, he completed his 1st Solo Flight in a Cessna 150. He proudly received his Private Pilot’s License and his BS Degree in Aviation Technology and the following year received his Master’s Degree in Aviation Safety. In his late 30’s Larry moved to Alexandria, VA and took a position with Avmark, Inc. for five years. He also enjoyed some freelancing for Solid Surface magazine and worked part-time at Borders Books in the Virginia area before returning home to the Kansas City area. He accepted a position with Crick Camera Shop in the Brookside area where he remained until retiring in 2012. But, his inquisitive nature hadn’t fully run its course yet and he bought a guitar and began teaching himself to play. He adopted his loyal friend, Faith, from Wayside Waifs and will always be remembered for his caring heart when it came to animals. Retirement also gave him more time to enjoy his love of photography and he entered a photo at the Haw Contemporary Gallery called “Current Works” put on by members of the Kansas City Society of Contemporary Photograph. He captured many magic pictures from family events, Royal’s games, animals, scenic and nature that were a part of his photographic ability. Even up into the middle of his hospital stay this month he was still enlightening us with pictures from the fourth floor view of the Independent Living facility he had recently moved into. Also during these retirement years he was able to devote time to water painting and developed yet another hobby. He definitely was a man of many talents and we sincerely thank you Larry for being a part of our lives! Your many cousins and friends will truly miss you. At Larry’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service.

Lawrence "Larry" Cleveland Benton

March 30, 1951 - April 25, 2024