Gregory M. Benton

Gregory (Greg) Mario Benton, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and son was born on July 13, 1947 in Washington, DC to the late Florie Harris Benton and Howard Benton. He grew up in Washington, DC with his mother Florie Thigpen and stepfather William Thigpen (both deceased), one brother Harry Benton (deceased) and four sisters, Queen King, Felicia Colquhoun, Denise Earley and Valerie Bartlett.
Greg graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School, DC Teachers College and Howard University Graduate School with a Masters degree in Social Work. Greg was passionate about social work and built a lifelong career helping the citizens of DC through the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and Adult Protective Services.
Greg joined the Army after high school and also spent a career in military service through active service and finalizing his military career in the Army Reserves retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 2007.
Greg met Stephanie Batch in 1990. Their courtship lasted five years until their marriage in 1995. In 1997, they were blessed with their little girl, Jennifer, who made their family complete. In 2019 and 2021, they were again blessed with two grandchildren, Quinzell and Alonzo, who gave them a renewed sense of life and youthful purpose. Greg loved, provided for and protected his family.
Greg retired from the DC Government in 2016, however, not being one to sit still, he began studying and training to be a Volunteer at the National Museum of African American History and Culture three days a week. He was studying to be a Docent at the Museum when Covid hit. Greg enjoyed volunteering at the Museum giving tours and sharing his knowledge of our past with family, friends and visitors. After Covid, his health did not permit him to continue his three day a week schedule, but he continued volunteering at the Museum as often as his health allowed.
Greg was a good man who loved to travel, attend the theater, collect art, visit civil war battle sites, study history and debate on any subject. He also loved to laugh, dance, attend concerts, play chess and checkers, watch and talk sports and spend time with family and friends. Greg was an avid reader who could get lost in a good book for hours. He was a seriously devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. With Greg, if you were his friend, you were his friend for life.
Greg was proud to be one of the few native Washingtonians. With the exception of his active military service, he lived and worked in Washington, DC his entire life. He loved his Redskins (Commanders) and rooted for them faithfully every season win or lose. There was always next year.
Greg loved the Lord and lived his life trying to live up to the teachings of Christ. He was a lifelong Catholic who practiced his faith faithfully no matter what was going on.
Left to honor and cherish his memory are his wife, daughter, grandsons, sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends and all whose lives he touched.
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