Duane Marshall Benton was the father of MaryKaye Cochran, District Administrator (Three Notch’d)
Duane Marshall Benton, 91, of Manassas, Virginia, passed away on November 5, 2024.
William Marshall and Mary Frances Benton welcomed Duane into the world on November 1, 1933, in Savannah, Ohio. He married the love of his life, Kay Hutchison Benton, on January 29, 1960. He was proceeded in death by his parents and wife Kay.
Over a period of 12 years, Duane earned an associate degree in Chemistry from Ashland University (Ashland, Ohio), a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah), a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio), and a Master of Science in Business Administration from George Washington University (Washington DC). His early professional life included employment as an assistant analytical chemist at Hess and Clark and an Associate Professor of Physical Science at Ashland University, both in Ashland, Ohio.
Duane’s military career began with the Ohio Air National Guard 164th Weather Flight (Mansfield, Ohio) in 1952. He served active duty with the United States Air Force from 1957-1973. He continued to serve in the New Jersey Air National Guard and USAF Reserve Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) until 1993 when he retired with the rank of Colonel.
In the early 1970’s, Duane moved his family to Northern Virginia and worked at the Pentagon as an Environmental Physical Scientist for the Department of Army, Environmental Protection Agency division, and as an Environmental Protection Specialist for the Army Materiel Command. Duane retired from Federal service in 1996.
Awards and honors include but are not limited to: Outstanding Alumnus, Ashland University, 1988; United States Air Force Commendation Medal, 1986; National Guard Bureau Minuteman Award, 1983. Duane faithfully served in leadership positions in the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) (Farmville, Virginia).
Duane is survived by his younger brother Donald O. Benton of Mancos, Colorado; his three children: MaryKaye Benton Cochran (Larry Cochran) of Midlothian, Virginia; Kristy Benton-Grover (Dave Grover) of Ocean City, Maryland; and Michael Duane Benton (Erinn) of Bristow Virginia; nine grandchildren and one great-grandson.
We will remember Duane as a man who worked hard and valued lifelong learning. He was deeply devoted to his family and was a tireless supporter of his children and grandchildren. He loved traveling the world.
At a later date, Duane will be laid to rest beside his late wife Kay at the National Cemetery at Quantico where he will receive military honors.
Donations in Duane’s memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.give.michaeljfox.org Dad, your tour of duty has been successfully completed