Benny David Bruton, age 72, passed away on January 15, 2023, at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 21, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, De Leon, with John Odell officiating. Interment followed in De Leon Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Bobby Morehead, Tom Rodgers, Joe Bill Caskey, Fred Wilson, Hank Walbrick, Wayne Wheat, Craig Wiseman, Rick Backman, Tom Darter, Gary Rose, Harold Keeter, and John Odell (Benny's East Central Tiger Football teammates).

Benny was born in Gorman, Texas to Sidney and Clara Bruton on September 6, 1950. He attended De Leon schools and graduated with the De Leon Class of 1969. He was a proud De Leon Bearcat and held the pole vault record for De Leon for twenty-one years. He attended Ranger Junior College and later East Central both on an athletic scholarship. He then went on to earn his master's degree at Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Following graduate school, he earned his doctoral degree from Texas A&M University in plant pathology. Benny worked for the USDA for thirty-one years. He was employed in Weslaco from 1981 until 1986, at which time he went to Lane, Oklahoma where he retired in 2012. To read more about Benny's contributions to the agriculture industry, please search on www.researchgate.net for Benny David Bruton's agriculture research publications.

He served in many organizations, clubs, leagues, and religious orders throughout his life. He was a Mason at both the Atoka Lodge and the De Leon Armstrong Lodge #445. Benny was active in serving on the Atoka Hospital Board for many years. Benny was a long-time member of the Atoka First United Methodist Church.

Benny was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Clara Bruton; and his half-sister, Annie Sid Camp. He is survived by his loving siblings, Glenn Bruton, James Bruton, and Lynita Pierson; and grandson, Caleb Morgan. Benny had numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. He also had many special friends who all held a dear place in his heart.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Boys Ranch, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or to Scottish Rite Children's Hospital, in memory of Benny. The Bruton family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the East Central athletes, De Leon First Baptist Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (De Leon), and the many family members and friends who have offered prayers, love, food, and support in our time of sorrow in the loss of our beloved brother and papa, Benny.