The People Project:
Benton Thames
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | October 29, 2022
Meet Benton Thames!
Benton grew up in Denham Springs and has one older brother, Toby. He started his high school career at Denham Springs High School, but graduated from Springfield High School in 2005. Feeling compelled to do something “bigger than himself”, Benton joined the U.S. Army Infantry straight out of high school. During basic training, he was offered the opportunity to volunteer for a specialty unit, which ended up being The Old Guard; the Army’s official ceremonial unit. Benton chose the path of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which requires vigorous training and commitment. He is one of only 702 soldiers in the history of the military to be awarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Badge, which is the least awarded badge in the U.S. military. Benton served at the Tomb for 4 years, and was promoted several times throughout his tenure.
After completing his military service, Benton returned to Hammond. He earned his Business Administration degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2 years, graduating in 2014. After working for several years as a an agent, he opened Benton Thames State Farm in downtown Ponchatoula in 2017. Benton married his wife, Rachael, in 2015. He is an active member of the Ponchatoula Rotary Club and The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival board.
We want to thank Benton for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about his life and his love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I actually became friends during my time at the Tomb with a gentleman from Louisiana who was organizing Honor Flights. When I returned home, he connected me to a friend of his who was with State Farm and it just evolved from there.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: I love the seafood specials at Roux & Brew. I love the ambiance at One Thirteen. But the real hidden gem is The Fuel Dock! I’ve never had something there than I didn’t love.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Going fishing with my dad and riding around with my mom in her Corvette!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Bora Bora! I love warm weather and blue water.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
A: Probably Forrest Gump or The Patriot as my favorite movie. This is not the first movie I saw in the theater, but the first one I can remember is Titanic.
Q: Do you have a favorite book? What do you love about it?
A: Coming Back Strong by Drew Brees or The Subtle Art… by Mark Manson.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Be yourself. Be humble. And when making decisions in life, start with the small things that matter most.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I’d love to learn to scuba dive.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist or band that you would like to see?
A: I love country music. Classic stuff like Alan Jackson. But I would love to see Randy Houser live again. I’ve seen him several times and it was incredible.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: The Corner Cafe. When I first opened up my office, I would take the team there for breakfast every Friday before we started our day.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it?
A: Thomas Jefferson. I’d get him to walk me around Monticello.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: I love the small town feel. There’s nothing quite like the culture of South Louisiana, and I feel like Ponchatoula really embodies that and expresses it well.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Same place! Selling insurance and spending time on the river on the weekends.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I like to paint! I’m awful at it, but I have created some art for myself that I really like.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: South Louisiana
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A personal trainer/nutritionist that would keep me accountable.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Seafood (fresh fish, sushi, etc.)
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Sing out my heart and soul!
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was I had my wife’s car detailed and coated for her as a surprise. The last gift I received was concert tickets to go see Drake White and Trace Atkins in Jackson, MS in December for my birthday.
Q: What are you known for?
A: My eclectic, upbeat personality.
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: Brooks and Dunn – Neon Moon
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A: To be able to sing! And yes, I feel like singing is a superpower - one that I wish I had.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Boating on the river or in Florida, golf, traveling.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Laughing face or face palm
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My service in the military and having protected the Unknowns.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
Playing Bingo this last Wednesday at the Ponchatoula Lions Club. I bought two “cards” and did not realize how many actual cards on each. Our group laughed at me quite often because I could literally not keep up with the numbers and eventually gave up even trying! Lions Club Bingo is not for the faint of heart!
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: A satellite phone and my boat.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: I would take care of my family for them to never want anything. Buy a house on the beach somewhere like Costa Rica. And a bigger boat!
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: I want my legacy to be remembered as someone who has a positive influence on others. Someone who lived life to its fullest with no regrets and has always been simply, me.
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
We love meeting, knowing, and working with our community, and we love working with homes and all types of properties. Helping our community achieve their goals through buying and selling property is something we consider ourselves very fortunate to get to do. Contact one of our REALTORS® if we can help!
