James Benton Totten

James “Jim” Benton Totten, aged 99, of Chillicothe passed away on the morning of Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Morningside Center in Chillicothe peacefully, in his sleep. Jim was born to Ernest and Anna (Couts) Totten on January 11, 1926, in Bigelow, Missouri.

Jim graduated high school from Albany, Missouri. Afterwards, he attended US Navy Flight School, being called into service in November of 1943. He trained to be an air crewman on submarine patrol planes. Concurrently to that training, Jim completed his private pilots’ license at an airport local to his training in San Diego. He served for three years in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations. Following his military service, Jim attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, completing Bachelor’s degrees in Fine Arts and Industrial Arts. He went on to be an elementary and middle school art teacher in the Chillicothe R-2 School District until 1981. In 1978, he helped create the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 944 in Chillicothe. From 1991 to 1993, Jim built his own plane, a Shomee Ultra Light. He enjoyed filling his days with various hobbies such as architectural drafting, flying, fishing, numerous mediums of art, working on cars and aircrafts, bowling, and spending time with his loving family.

Jim is survived by his children Paul Totten (Mary), John Totten, Alecia Totten (Richard), and Jamie Trent (Clint), daughter-in-law Lynn Totten, nieces Lucinda Morris, Barbara Baxter (Danny), and Sue Gates (Brad), grandchildren Jessica, Amanda, Adam, Leslie, Sarah, Nicholas, Breckyn, Jessalie, Allison, and Rowan, and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in passing by his parents Ernest and Anna Totten, first wife Rita Ann Totten, second wife Tina Totten, son Scott Totten, step-father Bill Findley, and sister and brother-in-law Martha Jane and John Moore.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to “EAA Chapter 944” in Chillicothe.

A visitation for James “Jim” Benton Totten will be held at 10 am on Saturday, September 27, with funeral services to follow at 11 am, at Heritage Funeral Home, with burial at Resthaven Memorial Gardens to follow.