Obituary of Benton McClure

Benton McClure was born April 27, 1936, on a farm in the west Texas community of New Home to Katie Colene Crafton and Oscar Benton McClure. He spent his youth in Texas, attending high school in Abilene, where he excelled at football and enjoyed tinkering on his hot rod. Ben chose to forgo graduation to join the Navy in his senior year of high school. Shortly after joining the Navy, Ben's commanding officer recognized his extraordinary intellect and encouraged him to apply for the BOOST program, which allowed enlisted sailors to enroll in college. It was no surprise that Ben was one of fifty young men selected to attend Purdue University the following year. After graduating with an electrical engineering degree, Ben was commissioned as a Naval Officer, and serving his country honorably for twelve years, he resigned from the Navy to pursue a master's degree in electrical engineering. Ben worked as an engineer for General Motors and Bendix Avionics, then decided to study law at the University of Florida. As a trial attorney, he subsequently practiced in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, and Vero Beach, Florida. With his background in engineering and aviation, he was highly sought to represent aircraft manufacturers like Bell Helicopter and Piper. After retirement, Ben volunteered with the Vero Beach Sheriff's Office, rising to sergeant of Volunteers. He was a proficient marksman, taught gun safety, and became a federally licensed arms dealer. He moved to Richardson, Texas, in early 2018, where he passed away on July 20, 2021. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers-in-law, and his beloved son Jeff. He is survived by his sisters Evelyn Louise McClure Lee and Jenny Mae McClure Allen, as well as stepsons Frank Saporito (Quynh, Sara, Sophia) and William (Bill) Saporito (Sonja, Roman, and Bella), their mother, his friend, and former wife Judith Adams and his companion of recent years, Jean Spurlin Stuart – his best friend in high school. He would still laugh delightedly with all that he has accomplished and tell you that he dropped out and never graduated high school. Memorial services will be held at a later date in his beloved West Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Presbyterian Hospice, 12477 Merit Drive, Dallas, TX 75251