MERL T. BENTON, 84, a longtime Rockport area resident, passed away on Monday October 24, 2005 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.
He was born on February 9, 1921 in Rosenberg, Texas, the son of Elihu & Banna Hill Benton.
He was raised and attended school in Texas. In 1940 he enlisted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Hawaii and Alaska, with some of that time being the driver for military Generals and high ranking officials.
On October 4, 1942 while on leave in Seattle, he was united in marriage to Myra Pressentine. Myra remained in Seattle working as a beautician while Merl was stationed in Alaska. Merl was discharged in 1946 and he and Myra made their home in Seattle where they both worked as hair stylists in their own salon.
In 1948 they moved to Rockport where they purchased the Rockport Country Store which they operated until 1978. Merl also worked briefly for Seattle City Light and Skagit County and then for many years as a crane operator in the construction industry. He also served as Rockport’s Post Master for a while. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union, Local 302, a 50 plus year member of the Heskett-Arnold Post 143, American Legion in Concrete where he was Post Commander in 1952 and also a 50 year plus member of the Masonic Lodge, where he was a 32 Degree Mason.
Merl enjoyed fly fishing in the many streams and lakes in the upper Skagit Valley.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Myra at the family home in Rockport. 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Tom & Betty Benton of Edwall, WA and Abb & Rebecca Benton of Tacoma, WA. 4 grandchildren, Tim, Mike Tiffany, Dan and Christy Benton. 2 great-grandchildren, Hunter Martin Benton & Michael Herrara and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Hugh Benton. Memorials are suggested to the Rockport Union Sunday School.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 29, 2005 at 11:00 AM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with members of the United Lodge # 93 F&AM officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Visitation is available on Thursday & Friday from 9am to 5 pm at Lemley Chapel.