Tom Benton, 71, formerly of West Palm Beach and Ft. Myers, died of cancer on March 28, 2009 at his Tallahassee home.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2pm on Thursday, April 2 at the Reflection Pool at Maclay Gardens. Please bring a thought to share of an incident in which Tom has touched your life, or you may share it on the Tallahassee Democrat’s web site. You may visit with the family at the Gardener’s Cottage after the ceremony. Mention that you are there for the Benton Memorial, and they will direct you to the Cottage parking.

Tom graduated from Palm Beach High School, Palm Beach Junior College, and received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from FSU. He taught middle school in WPB, then worked with the Florida DOE in several capacities including Teacher Certification and the Professional Practices Council. He moved to Ft. Myers when he became Personnel Director for the School District of Lee County. He was elected president of the Florida Personnel Directors organization. He was also Director of School Transportation in Lee County.

After retiring from the school district, Tom and his family moved back to Tallahassee where he worked part time with Mixon and Assoc. while he built his own home of ICF (insulating concrete form) construction. Being very interested in that “green” technology, he and partner, Doug Potter, formed Tom Benton Enterprises and Panhandle Craftsmen and built custom ICF homes in the Tallahassee area for several years. Last year Tom studied for and passed the contractor’s license exam and received his contractor’s license.

Tom enjoyed the out of doors and together with family and friends has spent many happy hours sailing, boating, fishing, camping, playing guitar and singing.

He is survived by his wife, Norma, brothers, Walter of Alachua, and Steve of Loxahatchee, sisters, Hallie Rider of Lake Worth, and Joy Skovmand of Sonderborg, Denmark, sons, Scot of Tallahassee, Mark of Holstebro, Denmark, daughter, Lynda Willis of Tallahassee, and six grandchildren. His family will miss his love and leadership as a husband, father, grandfather, and beloved brother.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612-9416 or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308.