James Benton Jr.

A native of Sharon, Pennsylvania, Mr. Benton was the son of Sarah Pauline Sharman Benton and the late James M. Benton Sr.

Jim was a field inspector for the Plant Protection Section of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and had been with the department for 14 years. He served as a field supervisor over inspectors in southwest Georgia before returning to Athens to care for his mother. During his time with the state he also worked in Savannah, Bainbridge and Tifton. Jim was knowledgeable, trustworthy and a valued member of the Plant Protection staff. He was an Accredited Certification Official which gave him the ability to issue Federal Phytosanitary Certificates for plant products being shipped internationally. Jim had a BSA majoring in horticulture from the University of Georgia and spent many of his off work hours building furniture or cultivating special varieties of plants at home.

In addition to his mother, survivors include sisters, Deborah Holish, husband Steve and Adriaan Finnerman and husband Sam, nephews Michael, Moses, and Noah and several aunts.

Jim’s cremains will be buried at Oconee Hills Cemetery in a private ceremony and a memorial service will be held 11AM Friday, October 14th in the chapel at Bernstein Funeral Home with Rev Luther Fouche. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Athens Food Bank, P.O. Box 48857, Athens, GA 30604.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.