Charles Benton Musslewhite Sr.

Charles Benton Musslewhite, Sr., 92, passed away peacefully in Houston, Texas, on September 1, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He lived a storied life filled with extraordinary moments, leaving a rich legacy that will be told for generations. Despite many accomplishments, Benton was proud of his eight children and 12 grandchildren. His charisma and infectious charm endeared him to all his family, friends, and fellow legal community members. Whether through the storytelling of his youth as a football star, his service in Washington, or his long legal career representing victims worldwide, Benton lived a full life with passion, warmth, energy, and zest.

Born on September 21, 1931, in Lufkin, Texas, to Mildred Guinn and Robert Chilton Musslewhite, Benton's life was marked by unforgettable events from the very beginning. As a young child, Benton was unwittingly caught up in a dramatic encounter with the notorious outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. Legend has it that when the infamous duo passed through Lufkin, Texas, in their early ’30s crime spree, they stole Mildred’s car with young Benton asleep in the back seat. Realizing that a baby was in the car, they left Benton on the side of Piney Woods back road. Benton used to claim that Bonnie wanted to keep him, but Clyde adamantly refused. Mildred’s car was found weeks later, below a bridge, riddled with bullet holes, yet furnished with a mattress the outlaws used for sleeping and protection against gunfire. This early brush with notoriety hinted at the remarkable life Benton was destined to lead.

Benton was a standout football player for the Lufkin Panthers in his teens and graduated with top honors from Lufkin High. He attended Southern Methodist University beginning in 1948 on a football scholarship to serve as senior class president and Phi Delta Theta fraternity president. In his junior year, he was selected for Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities. As part of the Mustangs’ football team, he set records for pass receptions (36) and most yards gained during a game (352 yards). On October 13, 1951, Benton scored the first touchdown against Notre Dame during the first live national television broadcast, leading the Mustangs to victory for the first time against the Fighting Irish and earning him MVP honors along with widespread acclaim. The Montagu County Times praised him in 1953, stating, “Benton Musslewhite was the star... for Southern Methodist University for the last three years…He is an outstanding churchman as well as a football player…”

After graduating from SMU, Benton earned his J.D. from SMU School of Law in 1954. Following that, he joined the U.S. Military Justice School and served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps at the Pentagon for three years, eventually becoming the chief aide to the Judge Advocate General. During his service, he was decorated with the Commendation Ribbon with a Medal Pendant. Benton simultaneously earned an L.L.M. (Master of Law) from Georgetown University.

After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Army, Benton started his legal career by moving to Dallas, Texas, where he became the youngest partner at Buford, Ryburn, and Ford at age 27. In 1957, he returned to Lufkin to work with his father, Chilton, a prominent district attorney and County Judge credited with kickstarting Lyndon Johnson's political career. During these years, Benton became a true “Yellow Dawg Democrat” from East Texas. He ran for United States Congress at the suggestion of Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy on the Civil Rights platform and narrowly lost to the established conservative incumbent by only 41 votes.

In 1961, Benton was chosen by President John F. Kennedy to join the National Council on Physical Fitness as an advisor. Two years later, he was appointed by President Kennedy to the Advisory Board of the Area Redevelopment Administration. Benton later participated in the historic 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago and stood as one of two Texas delegates to vote for Senator Eugene McCarthy due to his opposition to the Vietnam War. In 1969, he returned to Washington, D.C., to serve as U.S. Senator Ralph W. Yarborough's chief of staff before starting a private law practice in Houston as a civil litigation attorney in 1971.

Benton quickly became known for his expertise in handling legal cases involving foreign plaintiffs making claims in American courts on various overseas maritime and aircraft disasters. On March 30, 1988, he successfully delivered oral arguments on behalf of the plaintiff in Chick Kam Choo v. Exxon Corporation before the United States Supreme Court. The court ruled unanimously in favor of the plaintiff, with Justice Sandra Day O’Connor authoring the opinion, which is still taught in law school today. Based upon this groundbreaking decision, Benton went on to secure a record jury verdict.

Benton was also one of nine members of the Plaintiffs’ Management Committee in the Agent Orange national class action, representing Vietnam Veterans who were exposed to the highly toxic herbicide manufactured by Monsanto. He became involved in many other environmental and chemical exposure cases, including the Bhopal disaster.

Over the next three decades, Benton continued his legal work while evolving his passion for politics and the law. He testified before Congress against restrictions on the rights of Jones Act seaman. He also collaborated with various United Nations organizations on environmental and human rights issues and traveled the world for these causes. In 1992, he participated in the World Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He also attended the Population Summit in Cairo, Egypt, in 1994; the Summit of Social Rights in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1995; the Peace Conference in the Hague, Netherlands, in 1999; and several international conferences in India.

In addition to Benton's dedication to the environment and championing human rights, he was widely known for his generosity and inclusiveness. He consistently went out of his way to assist anyone who sought his help, demonstrating a true spirit of kindness and altruism. Above all, Benton was a fun-loving father to his eight children and 12 grandchildren, always seeking unforgettable experiences at every opportunity. His journeys took him and his family to diverse destinations, from the historic streets of Europe and the breathtaking landscapes of Yellowstone National Park or white-water wilderness rafting trips in Idaho to the vibrant cultures of Africa and Asia, to the beaches of Hawaii and scuba diving throughout the Caribbean and along the Great Barrier Reef and everywhere in between. Whether dancing in New York or exploring new foods and cultures, Benton's charm and love of living left a lasting impact on his family. His spirit of adventure and infectious enthusiasm continue to inspire those he loves, ensuring that his legacy of joy and exploration lives on with them.

Benton is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his children, and grandchildren, including son Charles (with daughter Chase), daughter Guinn Bandy (her husband, Mike, and children Ruthanne and Nelson), son Dickson (his wife, Jackson Gay, and daughter Lola), son Matthew (his partner, Socorro Lithea), son Jeffrey (his wife, Katie and, children Ellie, Emma, and Beau), daughter Kathryn Green (her husband, Kevin, and children Lillian and Jack), daughter Millie Bruce (her husband, Thomas, and son Robert), and daughter Margaret Balanco (and children Percy and Lyra Reeves).

Benton’s parents and brothers, Robert Chilton Musslewhite, Jr and David Carroll Musslewhite, preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held on September 7, 2024, at 2:00 pm CT at First United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW).

As we say goodbye to Charles Benton Musslewhite, Sr., we celebrate a well-lived life overflowing with unforgettable moments and an undying spirit that will forever charm and inspire those of us touched by his warmth and enthusiasm.