J. Benton White

J. Benton White, long-time San Jose resident and retired San Jose State University professor, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2023 at the age of 92. Benton was born in Birmingham, Alabama, graduated from the University of Alabama, Chandler School of Theology at Emory University, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Benton served as an Air Force Chaplain in the Strategic Air Command prior to becoming Campus Minister at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Nebraska. It was in Nebraska that he met and married his life partner Mary Lou. He came to San Jose in 1961 as the Director of the Wesley Foundation at San Jose State. He was active in the Civil Rights movement, recruiting students to participate in voter registration drives in the South during the Freedom Summer of 1964, while also working to secure housing for students of color in San Jose in the early 1960s. In 1967, he was asked by then SJSU President Robert Clark to be the University's first Ombudsman in response to student protests over segregated conditions on and around the campus community. In 1970, Benton established the Religious Studies program at San Jose State where he taught until his retirement in 1992. Benton served as officiant for countless weddings, baptisms and memorials, and is remembered fondly for his graciousness. During retirement he taught as an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University, golfed as often as he could, traveled, wrote books, and spent time with his beloved wife, Mary Lou, and his family and friends. Benton is survived by his wife, companion and partner of 65 years, Mary Lou, sons and their wives, Tom and Julie and Matt and Elaine, grandchildren Gavin and Abbie White and Trisha Sestokas and great-grandson Ryder. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring.