Thomas Jeffrey Benton

"When it's all been said and done, the question is Do you know my Son?'"

Thomas Jeffrey Benton (T.J.) responded to the question as a child so that Jesus would answer on the appointed day by saying "Enter in my good and faithful servant." T.J. was born May 29th, 1960 in Enid, Oklahoma to Bill and Faye Benton. He was the youngest of 6 children and the only one with a BA degree from the University of Oklahoma in Management. He used the degree to manage several businesses including Wendy's, Pit Stop USA and American 10 minute Oil Change.

On August 13, 1988 T.J. made a most important commitment to marry Janet; a perfect complement to his life. They resided in Arlington, Texas at this time. She has supported him through thick and thin and together they have grown stronger and closer to God over the last 21 years of marriage.

T.J. decided to go back to school in 1994 to become an automotive technician and earned his degree from Tarrant County Community College. He used this degree at Friendly Chevrolet and Sewell Cadillac while they lived in Arlington. Janet's job moved them to Plano in 1997 and T.J. began working at Park Place Lexus of Plano. One of his later achievements was a Radiologic Sciences Associates degree from Brookhaven Community College. T.J. used his degree to work as a Radiographer at the Medical Center of McKinney.

In 1998 T.J. was diagnosed with liposarcoma cancer. Through the years he received medical treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and North Texas Regional Cancer Center in Plano. Family, friends, neighbors, and church family stepped in to support T.J. and Janet during this trial by caring for their home, their animals, travel and lodging needs, etc. T.J. also had many spiritual warriors all over the world praying and remembering him without ceasing. During this trial, T.J. deepened his relationship and faith in Jesus the Christ. T.J. was active in the church. He played bass guitar in the orchestra and worked in ministries including Backyard Bible Clubs, Cornerstone Kids, and Tons of Food.

Real life began for T.J. on September 5th, 2009 when this life of preparation concluded and eternal living commenced. A celebration service is planned on Tuesday September 8 at 11am at Hunters' Glen Baptist Church in Plano, Texas with the body of Christ that has loved and ministered to T.J. and Janet since 1999. "To God be the glory, great things life has done."

If you would like to read an impressive story of T.J. and Janet's trial over the last several years, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/tjbenton

In light of TJ's strongest wish which was that his life bring glory to God, in lieu of flowers please make a donation to Hunters Glen Baptist Church and mark it specifically for missions.