Gene Benton

Funeral Services for Harold "Gene" Benton will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Alma United Methodist Church in Alma, Nebraska with Reverend Jim Bendorf, Pastor Daren Popple and Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating. Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery.

Harold Gene Benton, 80 years of age, of Alma, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege, Nebraska. Gene was born December 20, 1938, in Dawn, Texas, the second of three children born to Charles Wesley and Beatrice Elizabeth (Cobb) Benton. He received his primary education from River Road Elementary in Amarillo, Texas and then attended Amarillo High School in Amarillo, graduating with the class of 1957. Gene then pursued higher education at West Texas State University, where he participated in the ROTC program and received a Bachelors degree in Agriculture in 1960.

On August 22, 1958, he was united in marriage to Sharon "Lue" Blanks in Amarillo, and to this union the couple were blessed with three daughters: Leschia Camelle, Charlotte Regina, and Teresa Nell. The family made their home in Amarillo, where Gene worked at Diamond Shamrock Oil and Gas. The family then moved to Alma, where he purchased Alma Oil Company. In 1980, Gene retired from the oil business and purchased farm ground in Nebraska and Kansas, where he farmed various crops and raised cattle. On August 22, 2018, the couple celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Gene was a hard worker and instilled a strong work ethic to his family. He enjoyed collecting all kinds of guns and spurs, but most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo, and active with the Alma United Methodist Church. He also faithfully served on the Alma City Council, and was the Chairman of the board for the Alma Oil Company. Gene also served on the Board of Directors for the Harlan County Bank for 17 years, the Board of Directors for the Farmers Co-Op in Republican City, Nebraska, and the Board of Directors for the Alma Education Foundation.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by; his sister, Charlene Dodson; his in-laws: Joe and Dorothy Blanks; brother-in-law; Wesley Blanks, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Gene leaves to celebrate his life; his loving wife, Sharon Lue Benton of Alma; his daughters: Leschia Molzahn and her husband, Neil of Alma; Charlotte Jay and her husband, Chad of Lander, Wyoming; and Teresa Seyler of Gilbert Arizona; five grandchildren: Benton Seyler; Cody Molzahn and his wife, Sonia; Chase Seyler; Maggie McConnell and her husband, Michael; and Connor Jay; 3 great-grandchildren: Kayleigh Lashley, Marlie McConnell, Meritt McConnell; one brother, Eddie Benton; sister-in-law; Pat Walker and her husband, Dan; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Gene's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.