BENTON – Larry Jay Gwaltney of Benton passed away at his home Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, surrounded by his family, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Gwaltney was raised in the Mill Shoals area of White County. He began his career in photography at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, before transitioning to education. He taught at high schools in Fairfield, Allendale, Gillespie, and Bluford (Webber), as well as Carmi-White County Middle School.

Following his retirement from teaching in 2009, Gwaltney worked as a night custodian at the University of Southern Indiana until 2013. Throughout his teaching career, he also served as a bi-vocational pastor and supply preacher for several rural churches.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. A celebration of life service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, or to Adult & Teen Challenge Mid-America (directed to Deborah’s House) in Cape Girardeau. Donations will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.