John L. Benton

    March 22, 1924 - December 1, 2016 John graduated from South Pasadena High School in 1942, and attended Pasadena City College during which he joined the U.S. Army Reserves. He was called up for active duty and selected for the ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) and sent to Brigham Young Univ.,the Univ. of Kansas where he received his B.S. degree in 1946, and his M.D. from St. Louis University in 1949. He interned at Los Angeles County Hospital and then, still in the Reserves, served as a battalion combat surgeon, 2nd Infantry, U.S. Army in Korea 1950- 1951, followed by chief of outpatient dept. at Camp Cook. He did his residency in Internal Medicine at USC Medical School and the Hospital of the Good Samaritan. He then practiced at Good Samaritan from 1955 to 1994 and was a member of the American College of Physicians, American and California Societies of Internal Medicine and the Royal Society of Medicine, and was an FAA Medical Examiner. John is survived by his wife Cynthia and his former wife Barbara, his sister Olive Buchan, and his daughter Kathleen Jimenez, and four grandchildren, William, Bianca, Hannah and Ashley. He was predeceased by his son John Perry Benton. John was an active participant in sailboating, flying his Cessna airplane, racing sports cars, showing his Morgan 3 wheeler and 4 wheeler cars, and parading at Scottish events in his Clan Lamont kilt. He was a proud and active member of many organizations, including QBs (Quiet Birdmen), Morgan Car Clubs, St. Andrews Society of Los Angeles, British United Service Club, and in retirement was a Senior Driving Instructor at Pasadena Senior Center, the author of two books about his Korean War tour, and participated in the writing of a book on the history of Good Samaritan Hospital. John passed away at Pasadena Mansion across the street from Huntington Hospital where he was born 93 years ago today, March 22nd. Our thanks go to his wonderful caregivers for their devoted care. No service is planned at this time and his ashes will be scattered at sea. Contributions in memory of John L. Benton, M.D., can be made to the Hospital of the Good Samaritan or the Korean War National Museum (KWNM.org). "Happy Birthday" John, now enjoying a single malt scotch and wishing everyone "Slainte mhath"! Published in the Los Angeles Times from Mar. 21 to Mar. 22, 2017