James "Jim" Rufus Benton, 90, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

He was born on December 11, 1933, the son of the late G. A. and Lori Love Whitaker Benton. In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Louise Dean Benton; as well as many aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters.

Jim married Marjorie Louise Dean of Dante, Virginia, on November 21, 1952, in Rockford, Illinois. Jim served in the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic during the Korean War and was stationed with his wife at the Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii for his entire two-year enlistment. They returned to Rockford/Winnebago, Illinois, where he and Margie lived until 1993, when they moved to Castlewood, Virginia. Jim was a proud 50-year member of the Laborers International Union. Jim later moved back to his place of birth, Rogersville, Tennessee, where he built a log cabin and resided by himself until August 2021, when he moved to the Magnolia Manor Retirement Community in Saint Marys, Georgia, to live close to his only child.

He is survived by his only child, James Edward Benton and wife, Michelle; two grandchildren, Sydney Louise Benton and Charles Thayer Benton and wife, Rielly Stratton; one great-grandson, Atlas Jac Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for James "Jim" Rufus Benton will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024, in the Chapel of Love Mausoleum, Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, Virginia, with Rev. Jim Pratt officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, Virginia. Family and friends who will be attending the service are asked to meet at the mausoleum at 10:45 a.m., Saturday. Pallbearers will be family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2024, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations may be made to Magnolia Manor Retirement Community of Saint Marys, 4695 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy., Saint Marys, Georgia 31558 or The Remarkable Life Foundation, online at theremarkablelife.org, a support foundation for Coastal Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the Benton family through our website and a video tribute may be viewed at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.