Mr. "T" Benson

Harold “T” Benson, 92, of Lee’s Summit, passed away March 1, 2011 at Village House Hospice in John Knox Village, after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be Friday, March 4th from 10–11 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1800 SW 150 Hwy Lee’s Summit, Mo. 64082. Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 11am with burial at Floral Hills East Cemetery in Lee’s Summit. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Harold was born on Oct. 30, 1918 in Smithville, MO to Melvin “Pinky” Benson and Emma K. (Gilliam) Benson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Leo Benson, Melvin Benson, Charles Benson, Paul Benson and sister Georgia Thomason. He married Edythe E. Barber at St. James Catholic Church in Liberty on June 25, 1938 and they lived in Liberty until 1995 before moving to Lee’s Summit. He was a proud WWII Veteran in the US Navy, Seaman 1st Class from April 1944 thru December 1945 and served aboard the USS Keith Vawter Merchant Ship, Armed Guard Unit. He spent his working career as an owner-operator in the trucking Industry. He later drove for American Can Co. where he retired in 1972. After retirement, he and Edythe enjoyed being “snowbirds” for 28 years in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. He was a charter member of Pak-N-Go Camping Club, and a member of the National Campers & Hikers Association. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, his daughters Sue Rice of Alamo, TX., Ann (Gary) Trigg of Lee’s Summit, Teresa (Roy) Carroll of Pleasant Hill, 4 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, one sister Mary Jo Hopkins, and many other family members and close friends that will mourn his loss. (Arr: Newcomer’s Longview Funeral Home)

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