Richard “Barry” Benton was born on December 30, 1936, in Lexington, Kentucky, the firstborn child of Richard “Dick” Benton and Nancy Lagrew Benton. He passed away on October 21, 2025, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, service, faith, and unwavering dedication to others.
Barry is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandy, as well as his daughter, Blake Benton Westfall (Fred), and son, David Benton (Kelli). He was the proud grandfather of Veronica Victor (Colin), Christina Westfall, Arthur Gauthier Benton, and Alice Gauthier Benton.
He is also survived by his sisters, Katherine Benton Wright (Welton) and Nancy Lee Benton Frederick, each of whom has four children. Barry cherished his many nieces and nephews—his “niblings”—many of whom, along with his sisters, still reside in Lexington, KY.
Barry’s early life was shaped by the challenges of World War II. At just seven years old, with his father deployed to the Pacific for three years, Barry assumed the role of “man of the house,” helping care for his mother and sister, Katherine, with maturity well beyond his years. His youngest sister, Nancy, was born after the war.
Even as a child, Barry displayed a strong sense of justice. When a neighborhood boy blocked Katherine on the sidewalk, Barry famously warned he’d “beat the lemon juice out of him” if he didn’t let others pass. This fierce protectiveness and principled nature would define him throughout his life.
He also demonstrated exceptional self-discipline. As a teenager, determined to improve his health, he filled a backpack with bricks and began walking and biking everywhere—ultimately transforming himself through sheer will. He and Katherine often rode together on long trips to nearby parks and lakes.
A turning point came in high school when a neighborhood mentor introduced Barry to a church youth group. Chosen as a group leader while still a sophomore, he was mentored by Jenny Lipscomb and attended a leadership summer camp led by Davidson College students. That experience helped chart his course in faith and leadership. Barry went on to serve as student council president for two years and earned honors from the Key Club, a high school leadership organization sponsored by Kiwanis.
With encouragement from his father, Barry attended Davidson College in North Carolina, an institution committed to developing Christian leaders. He embraced its honor code, joined ROTC, played handball daily, worked to support himself, and biked everywhere. Despite financial challenges, he thrived—earning the rare distinction of being named General’s Cadet Aide at summer training, a prestigious honor among Davidson cadets.
Before beginning active duty, Barry spent a transformative summer in Brazil, completing a seven-week Portuguese immersion course. Determined to learn through experience, he actively engaged with locals—memorably requesting “a kilo of fingernails” at a hardware store, much to everyone’s amusement. He traveled widely across Brazil, staying with missionaries and even hitching a ride on a coal truck through the jungle to see Iguazu Falls.
Barry began active duty in 1960. He became jump-qualified and trained in Army Intelligence, Pathfinder School, and Jumpmaster School. After encountering Army Rangers during weapons training, he famously said, “I want to be like that”—and he followed through. He went on to lead various Army units, serving 2 years of active duty and 9 years of active reserve duty.
On July 4, 1976, Barry married Sandy. In many ways as different as two people could be, the love and admiration for one another that they shared for nearly 50 years of marriage was evident. He the dreamer and thinker, she the operations manager and doer, they were a formidable team. Barry remained smitten with “Britt” to the end.
During Barry and Sandy’s honeymoon in the Caribbean, they were deeply moved by the sight of children begging outside the resort. They returned home with a shared conviction: to serve those in need. That moment ignited a lifelong commitment to mission work. Barry founded Christian Flights International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that continues today. Over a decade, he personally piloted flights and led volunteer teams to Haiti. He later served in Port-au-Prince as Director of ADRA. He also founded Abba’s Work, Inc., another nonprofit through which he remained active in African mission work until his passing. His passion was raising up Christian leaders committed to living and leading by Biblical principles.
In 1976, Barry completed a course in Global Economy at the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky. An Agricultural Economics class inspired him to purchase and operate a 200-acre farm near Lexington, which he managed from 1976 to 1999.
In 1992, the family moved to Calhoun, Georgia, so David could attend an SDA academy while living at home. Barry practiced law from 1966 to 2012, specializing in taxation and estate planning. After graduating from Emory Law School, he passed six bar exams in his 60s—all on the first try—and was ultimately licensed in eight southeastern states. He balanced his private law practice with service as a prosecutor in Fayette County, Lexington, KY.
In the early 1990s, Barry also served as an operational asset for the CIA.
His love of mental and physical exercise often led him to encourage others to challenge themselves as well. Thanks to Barry, David’s childhood was filled solving real-world math problems on long road trips, completing scavenger hunts through the family’s swimming pool in Haiti, and learning to navigate with a compass before he could tie his shoes. In recent years, during family dinners, Barry loved hearing about the sports Arthur and Alice were playing (and then seeing for himself by attending games), and the books they were reading. He was proud to swap workout tips with any other gym rat.
After retiring from law, Barry poured his energy into helping others discover their God-given identity through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. He shared this tool with nearly everyone he knew, believing it could strengthen families, deepen self-understanding, and improve relationships in every sphere of life. He would regularly engage with strangers—doctors, restaurant servers, guests at his grandchildren’s birthday parties—and immediately befriend them by helping them figure out their type. If you are here today, chances are you know your MBTI type, and what it means, because of Barry.
When Barry Benton passed away on October 21, it was as if a library had burned down. He was always different—unconventional, sometimes misunderstood, but always generous, always principled, and always devoted to helping the “little guy or gal.” He never stopped seeking ways to make a difference. His outlook on life, unfailingly positive, continues to be an inspiration.
He was a bold thinker. A determined leader. A faithful servant. Barry’s life was a testament to what it means to live with purpose.
A memorial service to honor Barry’s life will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., at The Madison Campus SDA Church, located at 607 Larkin Springs Road in Madison with military honors. The private family burial will follow on Monday, November 10th, at Middle TN Veterans Cemetery on McCrory Lane in Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Abba’s Work Inc., a Tennessee 501(c)(3) corporation. The address mail donations is 109 Cottage Place, Nashville, TN 37214. Checks should be made out to “Abbas work Inc.” All funds collected are used to support college students in Africa in raising up Christian leaders.
