Benjamin Blanton Dutton

Date of Death: November 9, 2011

Benjamin B. Blanton Dutton, Jr.

Benjamin Blanton Dutton, Jr., 86, died on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, in his home in Winchester, Virginia.

Mr. Dutton was born in 1925, in Winchester, Virginia, the son of the late Dr. Benjamin and Ann Dutton. He attended Winchester Public Schools and graduated from Handley High School, Class of 1943. Mr. Dutton served in the United States Army, in the Infantry, from 1943-1946 achieving the rank of Sergeant. He attended University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia where he received, an A.B. Degree in 1950. He was employed by Hartford Fire Insurance Company from 1951-1963 and served as Special Agent for The Hartford in Louisiana and Roanoke, Virginia.

Mr. Dutton returned to Winchester in 1963 to become associated with J. V. Arthur, Inc., as a Vice President and partner, remaining in that position until his retirement in June 1987. He was employed by Congressman D. French Slaughter, Jr., as Field Representative in the Winchester, Virginia office and served in that capacity until Mr. Slaughter’s resignation in November 1991. Mr. Dutton continued as a Field Representative for Congressman George Allen during his tenure in congress, from November 1991 until December 1992. Mr. Dutton then became the Field Representative for Congressman Frank R. Wolf from January, 1993 until April, 1995.

He served as Executive Director of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival from April 1995 until July 1997 and was then rehired by Congressman Wolf as a Field Representative in July, 1997 until his retirement in 2010.

Mr. Dutton was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Winchester, a member of the Winchester Rotary from 1963 to present and served on the Board of Directors several times as well as Secretary and Treasurer. He was active in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival since childhood and was President of the festival in 1970, 1971, and 1972. He volunteered as Executive Director in 1972 and currently is on the Festival Board of Directors. Mr. Dutton was a two term President of the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, member of the Winchester Common Council for three terms, from 1966-1978, Winchester Parking Authority from 1966-1990 and Chairman 1980-1990; Winchester Transportation Safety Commission from 1968-1988. In addition he was a member of and Secretary-Treasurer of the Winchester Regional Airport Authority from 1987-1994; and served as Past Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Mr. Dutton was an Honorary member of the Winchester Medical Center Board; a licensed Amateur Radio operator and was licensed as a Glider Pilot.

His Virginia State activities include past chairman, State Insurance Board, Commonwealth of Virginia; past member, State Fire Services Commission, Commonwealth of Virginia; Past President, Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia, Inc.; past member, Board of Directors, Virginia Financial Services Corporation and past member, Regional Ecomonic Development Advisory Council for District 5, Commonwealth of Virginia.

He was Past President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Winchester, Inc.; a member of the Board of Directors Emeritus and the Wayside Theatre, Middletown, Virginia from 1976-1979; a currently a member of the Corporation of Valley Health System, Inc and current member of the Advisory Committee of the Institute for Government and Public Policy at Shenandoah University.

Mr. Dutton was awarded the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels in1970; Outstanding Citizen Award, Winchester–Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, 1975; Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow; Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Transportation Award, 1992, and Presidents Award for Community Service (Shenandoah University), 2002.

He married Jean Rogers Whipple on June 14, 1952, in Vienna, Georgia.

Surviving with his wife of 59 years, are three daughters, Fay Dutton and her husband, Jim Moyer, Virginia Dutton, and Whipple Rickman and her husband, Glen; and one grandson, Benjamin Rickman.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, in Mount Hebron Cemetery, Winchester, Virginia, with Reverend Webster Gibson officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601

Arrangements are being handled by Omps Funeral Home., Amherst Chapel, Winchester, Virginia.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.

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Benjamin B. Blanton Dutton, Jr. Benjamin Blanton Dutton, Jr., 86, died on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, in his home in Winchester, Virginia. Mr. Dutton was born in 1925, in Winchester, Virginia, the son of the late Dr. Benjamin and Ann Dutton. He attended Winchester Public Schools and graduated from Handley High School, Class of 1943.Continue Reading

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Ben Dutton was one of the finest men I have ever known and this community is a poorer place because of his passing.

Ben and I met in about 1992 when I ran the Chamber in Front Royal. At that time he was the well know rep for Congressman Frank Wolf, a position he held for many years. Now at the Chamber in Winchester I worked with Ben again and was inspired by his knowledge, professionalism and his humor. He served on many Chamber committees over the years and as our President in 1968 and 1968. He loved his community and I was honored to call him my friend. So long Ben, you will be missed. Randy Collins, CEO, Top of Va Regional Chamber

Ben Dutton was my neighbor and my friend. I will truly miss him. Jackie Martin

Ben Dutton - if ever there was a man who personified goodness and class it was - IS - Ben Dutton. Kind, strong, upstanding, and loved by so very many - may he go forth into the next chapter of his eternal life, susained by the knowledge that he has graduated, Summa Cum Laude, from the course called Life on Earth. May Almighty God continue to bless you, Ben, and those you love.

Dearest Whip - Miles cannot separate true friends and connections that are as important as mine with you and Ben. I have just learned of Ben's death and I could not wait to express my fondness for him and my tribute to Ben and you for all you meant to me for so many years. You and Ben hosted me in your home and we enjoyed so many good times in the insurance business in VA. Ben was my friend, my mentor, my confidant and one of my favorite people in the ranks of the IIAV. I will miss him but I will always smile when I think about his laugh, his personal charisma and how much he adored his "Whip". Love, Ted Smith, Tallahassee, FL. (former Chief Staff Executive at Independent Insurance Agents of VA - 1980-2001

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Ben Dutton was one of the finest men I have ever known and this community is a poorer place because of his passing.

I worked with Ben for many years at J.V. Arthur, Inc. & is was a huge pleasure to know him & his family. He was a great person & will be missed so much. May God be with his family at this time.

Mike Foreman couldn't have described Ben any better!

Ben Dutton was my neighbor and my friend. I will truly miss him. Jackie Martin

In honor of Benjamin Blanton Dutton, Bonnie Martin lit a candle.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.