John Ray Benson

Mr. John Ray Benson, 90, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at CMC-NorthEast in Concord.

A memorial service is scheduled for 3:00 pm Sunday, August 3, 2014, at Shiloh United Methodist Church. Rev. Danny Wilson and Rev. Vickie Wilson will officiate. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

Mr. Benson was born September 21, 1923 in the Odell Community. He was a son of the late O. D. Benson, Sr. and Dema McCall Benson. He graduated from W.R. Odell School in 1940. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy where he served on the USS Guam as a fireman during World War II. He was a Fire Chief with the Odell Volunteer Fire Department. He retired as a master carpenter in residential construction.

John was a Charter member of the Odell Lions Club and was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church. He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and participated in United Methodist Missionary trips to South America and Panama.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Evalee B. Myers; and three brothers, O.D. Benson, Jr., Dick Benson and Bill Benson.

Mr. Benson is survived by his wife, Mary Gladys Morrison Benson; daughter, Ann B. Crutchfield and husband Wiley, Jr. of Albemarle; son, Dale Benson and wife Ann of Raleigh; sister, Hazel B. Bacon of Salisbury; and granddaughter, Mary Catherine Benson of Raleigh.

Memorials may be sent to the Odell Lions Club, 2000 Odell School Road, Concord, NC 28027.