Four named to Newton High Hall of Fame

NEWTON-The Newton Pride Foundation, which maintains a Hall of Fame list featuring the names of Newton High School’s most esteemed graduates, former faculty and associates, has announced its eighth class of inductees. The four individuals selected for 2005 are: Kenneth Benson-Class of 1949. Ken served in the United States Marine Corps from Sept. 7, 1950, to Nov. 18, 1951. He is a life member of the Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, and Purple Heart Association. In addition, he belongs to the First Marine Division Association, Amvets, Chosin Few Association, and Marine Corps Law Enforcement Association. In 1971, after 24 years of service, he retired from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Master Sergeant. For his valor in combat during the Korean conflict, Ken was awarded the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. On the community level he was instrumental in starting little league football in Newton in 1959, and he served for over 30 years as both the assistant and head coach for Newton Little League program. His love of sports also included turns as basketball and wrestling coaches on the grammar school level. In 1991 he was inducted into the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame and served as its president in 2004. George Layton-Class of 1945. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946. Returning home, he held a number of jobs before joining the Sussex County engineering and road department in 1949. In 1969, George was appointed Sussex County supervisor of roads, a post he held for 20 years. George has held membership in the American Legion since 1945 and in the United Methodist Church of Newton since 1957. In addition he was a member of the Newton fire department for 22 years. Awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Plaque as chairman of March of Dimes Walk America, he has also logged over 3,000 hours as a volunteer at Newton Memorial Hospital. In 1967, he became a member of Harmony Lodge No. 8 F & AM and was master of the lodge in 1974. He was the grand sword bearer for the State of New Jersey from 1979-1980. George is also a former member of the Newton recreation commission and the shade tree commission. Carlton Sprague-Class of 1935. Carlton entered the U.S. Army in 1942 as a second lieutenant. He served as anti-aircraft platoon leader, gunnery officer and operations officer in Europe in the 9th Air Defense Command. In 1946 he was discharged from the Army with the rank of captain. Carlton acquired a distinguished athletic record when he became the first two-time New Jersey State wrestling champion and Eastern State Interscholastic runner-up. In 1998 he was inducted into the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame. Carlton was a member of the Newton Planning Board, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5360, the American Legion, and the Newton Country Club. In addition he was a trustee of the United Methodist Church in Newton. The Branchville Men’s Business Club voted him “Man of the Year” in 1998, and he was named “Newton Senior of the Year” in 2005. Carlton will always be remembered for the preparation and publication of three volumes, titled “Memories of Military Days,” covering the exploits of Sussex County servicemen from World War I to Operation Desert Storm. Charles Tice-Class of 1952. An active member of the community, he is a member of the Newton Memorial Hospital Foundation Board (emeritus) and has served as a board member of the Newton chapter of the Red Cross and secretary/treasurer of the Newton Cemetery Association. At Sussex County Community College he was a founding member of the trustee board, and he served as treasurer and board chair. As vice-chairman of the N.J. Council of Community Colleges he occasionally represented the Council before the New Jersey State Board of Higher Education. A member of the United Methodist Church of Newton, Charles is also a member of the board of directors (emeritus) of the United Methodist Homes, for which he served as treasurer and vice-chairman. Currently he serves as vice-chairman of the board of directors of Bristol Glen Retirement Community. The 2005 inductees will be honored at a ceremony and dinner on Sunday, Oct. 23, at Perona Farms in Andover. For information, call Newton High School at 973-383-7573, ext. 279. Hall of Fame nomination applications are available on the school website at newtonnj.org.