Calvin Leon Benton was born on September 21, 1932, the son of John and Ruth Benton.

On the morning of October 20, 2021, surrounded by family and friends, he left this Earth.

Calvin was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and relocated several times until his final move to Fortuna. He graduated from Fortuna High School in 1951. He loved sports – in high school, he played football and basketball, but his love was basketball. In 1952, as a senior basketball player, Calvin and his teammates made history when they were undefeated. To this day, that record stands!

Tod Thomas, principal of Toddy Thomas Elementary School, was a mentor in Calvin’s life and significantly assisted him through his elementary and high school years and beyond. Calvin loved him dearly.

In August 1951, Calvin married his high school sweetheart, Mary Anne Branstetter. They raised their four children together in Fortuna.

Calvin loved to hunt and fish, he loved sharing his time at Capetown Ranch. His favorite time at Capetown was shearing time.When they let the sheep go in the evening time he would hear the lambs calling out for their mothers and at nightfall all was quiet.

Calvin worked for the City of Fortuna until his retirement. After retirement, Calvin and Ann loved to travel with family and friends around the United States and wverseas. He loved his flower, and vegetable gardens. Calvin’s life was about commitment. He treasured his wife, children, grandchildren and his faithful dog, Dixie.

Calvin loved to be around family and friends, family gatherings, grandchildren sporting events and life in general. He loved his football – Oklahoma Sooners was his team, he was an avid fan from high school to present, if they lost, you did not talk to him for at least three days. There are a lot of memories of Calvin that family and friends will cherish and never forget. He endured personal loss and great tragedy. He was tough, he was fun and he had a radiating smile.

Calvin will be missed in a way that is hard to express in words. God be with Calvin and Ann, reunited again in heaven.

Calvin is survived by his children Sandra Chase (Dennis), Mike Benton (Joyce), Steve Benton (Debbie), his grandchildren Dennis Chase Jr., Sara Chase Gossi, Jessica Benton Stokesberry, Jason Benton, Tiffany Benton Mikos, Michelle Hayward Quattlebaum, Matthew Hayward, and Johnathan Benton, and 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Calvin is preceded in death by his parents, John and Amy “Ruth” Benton, his wife Mary Ann, his son David and his brothers, Glen and Truman Benton.

Funeral services will be held at Goble’s Chapel – 560 12th Street, Fortuna – on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 11 a.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Calvin Benton’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.