Thomas H. "Tommy" Benton Sr.

1930 - 2019

Thomas H. "Tommy" Benton Sr. obituary, 1930-2019, Baton Rouge, LA

Thomas H. "Tommy" Benton Sr.

1930 - 2019

BORN

1930

DIED

2019

Thomas Benton Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Mar. 27 to Mar. 29, 2019.
Beloved and devoted husband and father, Thomas H. ""Tommy"" Benton, Sr. passed away peacefully on March 26, 2019 at the age of 89. He was born on February 5, 1930 in Baton Rouge where he was a life-long resident. He attended Baton Rouge High School, LSU, and LSU law school where he received his Juris Doctorate. During the Korean conflict, he served in the Air Force as an attorney in the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps). He practiced law for over 60 years with his family's firm. He was a valued member of the community and a staunch defender and advocate for the rights of those who needed a voice. He knew no boundaries when it came to doing what was right and fought tirelessly for his clients and his Christian beliefs. Even into his late 80s he would still ask ""Do you need an attorney or a friend?"" He served as the attorney for the first minority owned financial institution, First Federal Savings & Loan in Scotlandville, LA and served on the Board of Southern University Law School. In 1985, along with Bishop Stanley Ott and other Catholic church members, he was instrumental in bringing Mother Theresa to Baton Rouge, where Saint Theresa opened a local chapter of the Missionaries of Charity for homeless women and small children. He was also dedicated and active with the Pregnancy Problem Center and the St. Elizabeth Foundation for adoption where he was recently inducted into its Hall of Fame. If asked, he would say that his greatest accomplishment was his family. After the death of his first wife ""Bootsie"" Cook Benton, he married Jodie Fulton Odom, the widow of Leo James ""Jimmy"" Odom and together they raised their 10 children. This ""merger"" in 1974 became known as the ""Benton-Odoms"". Family was everything to him and he proudly started every meeting with a picture and story of his beloved wife and children. There was never a dull moment at the Benton-Odom household where friends and family were always welcome and extra places were set at the dinner table. He was a champion for each and every one of his children and instilled the importance of faith in Christ and family values for all. Over the years his family grew to 60 members. He was preceded in death by his wife, Neva ""Bootsie"" Cook Benton, parents Fred G. Benton Sr. and Emma Cockerham Benton, his brother Fred G. Benton Jr., his sister Mary Benton Kenyon, and son, James Barrett Benton. He is survived by his wife Jodie Odom Benton, his children Karan York (Frank), Michelle Nesbit (Scott), Thomas Benton, Jr., Jim Odom (Karen), Nadine Benton (widow of Barrett Benton), Molly Laville (Joseph), David Odom (Patricia), Catherine McCallum (Mark), Christopher Odom, and Jeffery Benton (Denise), his grandchildren Frank York IV (Christina), Logan Kinamore, Benton York (Meg), Ashton Hearn (Geoffrey), Jessica Milburn (Bill), Jordan Odom, John Harrison York, Kristian Vukojevic (Yuri), Andrew Nesbit, Lorraine Van Hersh (Andrew), Julia Bueche (James), Camille Nesbit, Michael Benton, Grant Odom, Jeanne Claire Benton, Caroline Medica, Ian McCallum, Sarah Marie Odom, Alexandra Odom, Joseph Benton, Patrick McCallum, Emma Benton, Matthew Odom, Anthony Benton, James Odom, Christopher Benton, Theodore Laville, Alexander Benton, and Eleanor Laville, and great grandchildren Kaylee York, Amelia Hearn, Sarah York, Judah Hearn, and Josephine Milburn. The family is deeply thankful for his loving caregivers, Diana Franklin and Lodie Harris. Services will be held on Friday, March 29th, 2019 at St. Jude Catholic Church with visitation from 9 to 11:00 am with a funeral mass to follow. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Elizabeth Foundation, 8054 Summa Ave Suite A, Baton Rouge LA 70809 http://www.stelizabethfoundation.org/, the Pregnancy Problem Center, 4724 Jamestown Ave # 3, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 http://pregnancyproblemcenterbr.com or the Missionaries of Charity at St. Agnes, 749 East Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-6398 http://stagnesbr.com/missionaries-of-charity/

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Sign Thomas Benton's Guest Book

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April 15, 2019

F&D posted to the memorial.

March 29, 2019

Someone posted to the memorial.

March 29, 2019

Karen Wiltz Jones posted to the memorial.

F&D

April 15, 2019

We are very sorry to learn of your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that God collects our tears and is ready to sustain us during our time of need - Psalm 56:8.

March 29, 2019

Condolences to the family of Mr. Thomas Benton, Sr. A life well lived and beloved by his family. May all in the family gain comfort from the words of Jesus at John 11: 25. The hope Jesus shared will be fulfilled.

Karen Wiltz Jones

March 29, 2019

My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Benton-Odom Family.

Gene/Laura Bouquet

March 29, 2019

Jodie & the Entire Benton-Odom Family:
Gene & I are so sorry to hear of Tommy's passing. Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Treasure the memories. They will live in your hearts forever. With our deepest sympathy.

PreSonus Audio Electronics

March 29, 2019

We're thinking of you during this very difficult time.

Dave Ishmael

March 29, 2019

May God's perpetual light shine upon Tommy.
Though we may all have many acquaintances, I will forever consider Mr Benton to be my "friend".

Barry Jarreau

March 28, 2019

Offering prayers for a fallen Airman.

Patrick Cooper

March 28, 2019

I worked for Mr. Benton for about 9 years. He was one of the Good Guys. I was lucky to know him.

Congressman Mike Johnson

March 28, 2019

We are so very sad to hear this news, and wish we could be there for the services. This feels like the end of an era to me. Tommy, Fred, Sr., Barrett and Steve were so gracious to me and Kelly so many years ago, and God used them in our lives so profoundly. I had no connections, and didn't even know any lawyers, when I stumbled on to their doorstep as a second year law student looking for a job. They took me in as their own, and helped set me on the path God had planned long before. Tommy became like a father figure to me, and I am forever grateful for his extraordinary example and servant's heart. We send Jodie and the entire family our love, prayers and deepest sympathies. We have lost another hero.

March 28, 2019

Rest in peace Mr. Tommy. I so enjoyed feeding the geese with you when I worked for Keith and Walter.

March 28, 2019

so sorry to learn of Tommy, Sr.s passing. he was quite a fellow as was his family. sincerely, gertie marie and kathy beauford

Robert Spencer

March 28, 2019

Rest in peace,dear friend...

Ashley

March 28, 2019

May the God of all tender comfort be with you all during this difficult time.

Dennis Peevy

March 28, 2019

Jodi and family,
May the Lord give you comfort knowing you will see Tommy again. Linda and I live in Kentucky and cannot be there in person, but y'all will be in our prayers. I think of my friendship with the Odoms often, even though I left BR over 30 years ago. God bless you.

V R

March 27, 2019

Condolences to the Benton-Odom Family. So many accomplishments. Your memory banks must be overflowing with treasures of life, love and laughter. Hopefully, they will be able to carry you ALL through your moments of grief.

David Gordon

March 27, 2019

To everyone in the Benton-Odom family. You are all in my prayers at this time and always. I will always treasure the years of great times I had at the house spending time with Tommy and Jodie and the rest of the family around that huge dinner table. You always had an open door for all of the kids that wanted to visit or needed to talk to Tommy, Jodie, Barrett, or anyone else for that matter. May the love of Jesus fill your hearts and souls at this time and always. Thank-you for EVERYTHING!!

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Sign Thomas Benton's Guest Book

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April 15, 2019

F&D posted to the memorial.

March 29, 2019

Someone posted to the memorial.

March 29, 2019

Karen Wiltz Jones posted to the memorial.