JOSHUA SULLIVAN BENTON

Joshua Sullivan Benton, 40, beloved son and brother, died Monday, July 20, 2015. Born on July 3, 1975, Josh was a native of Memphis, with a passion for experiencing life. He attended Presbyterian Day School, Memphis University School, Oxford College of Emory University, and the University of Memphis. He was a sports enthusiast who was spirited about competition, playing tennis, soccer, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee to name a few; his mother was always grateful he never took up skiing or skydiving. Music always played an integral role in his life. Raised on music of the 60’s and 70’s, he once asked his mom if she “had ever heard of a great guitarist, Eric Clapton?” With a photographic memory, he could recall almost everything he had ever seen, heard, read - movies, books, people, places. A Jedi devotee, no one beat him in Star Wars trivia. Josh simply loved learning. Born with a scholar’s spirit, he was a voracious reader throughout his life, from philosophy to poetry, classics to contemporary fiction. Beautiful from the inside out, his handsome face fronted a sincere, gentle, sensitive, inquisitive, and loving soul. Josh is survived by his mother, Lynn Flippin Bugg; sister, Virginia Bugg Eady (Hall); niece, Virginia Harris Eady; father, James Mark Benton; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wise Flippin, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of cherished friends. A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Friday, July 24 at 2 p.m. with a life celebration to follow at The Beauty Shop. Private burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Memphis, The Memphis BoyChoir, Inc., or the charity of the donor’s choice.