Vickie L. Benton

Vickie L (Reece) Benton, 77 years old, passed away on January 13, 2026. She died at home, in Springtown, Tx, after a long battle with Ovarian Cancer. At her side was her Cousin Jan (Penland) Hare (more like a sister) along with Jan’s Daughter Amber and Vickie’s Husband Terry.

Vickie was born in Denver, Colo on December 19, 1948, to her parents, Gene and Nola (Hyde) Reece.

She grew up in Augusta, Ks and graduated from Augusta High School in 1967. One month prior to graduation she married the love of her life, Terry, who had just completed Navy Boot Camp. During the next 48 months she enjoyed the life of a Navy Wife making many new friends that resulted in lifelong relationships. Due to Military Duty, she and Terry were together for only 18 months during that period. During Terry’s first 2 overseas deployments Vickie returned to Augusta. During his last deployment she shared an apartment in California with Donna Bradford who became her best Navy friend for life. After the Navy they lived in Augusta, Ks while Terry finished College, with her first child, Tracy, joining them in 1972.

They then moved to Liberal, Ks and were joined by their second child, Amy, in 1976. In 1979 they moved to Manhattan, Ks where they stayed for 9 years, moving to Texas in 1988. Over the years Vickie held many different jobs, always enjoying the people she worked with. As one person said, Vickie never met a stranger. At one point in her life, she was trained as a massage therapist, which was her dream job. Many people can attest to her skills as she was always willing to give people a neck and shoulder massage. She was the most friendly, outgoing person you would ever want to meet.

In 2001 a group of Navy friends, led by Nancy & Ted Appelhanz, got together. All of the men had served together in Vietnam in 1969. This started a series of reunions going forward every 2 years. Vickie loved spending time with the Veterans and especially had a great time with all of the Navy Wives. Vickie also was thankful for the support and friendship of her Class of 67 classmates. The support of her Navy friends and classmates through the difficult time with the cancer, was a blessing for Vickie. She really enjoyed the phone calls from both friends and Family.

Vickie was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Dona, and her first child, Tracy.

She is survived by her husband Terry, daughter Amy and many other family and friends.

There are scheduled Celebration of Life events, one in Fort Worth, Tx and one in Augusta,Kansas.

She will be missed by many.