|
John A. Benson, 56, of Overland Park, KS, passed away Wednesday, August 27, 2003. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m.,Tuesday, September 2, 2003, at Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 West 93rd Street, Overland Park, KS. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 1, 2003, at the Church; a Rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. In John's memory, contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio, 44720. Contributions can also be made by calling 1-800-diabetes or by visiting www.diabetes.org. John was born December 19, 1946, in Philadelphia, PA, to John Andrew and Bernadette Claire Benson. At 9 years old, John moved from Philadelphia to Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating from high school in Albuquerque, John joined the United States Army. John became a veteran of the Army, serving in military intelligence. In 1972, he received his bachelor's degree in sociology from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa. He later received a master's degree in public administration from Webster University. He began working for the United States government in the Washington, D.C. area in 1972 as a contract reality specialist. John eventually made Overland Park, KS, his home and continued to work for the United States government in the General Services Administration (GSA). John enriched the lives of everyone who knew him and wanted nothing more than to make the people around him happy. John was a selfless man whose number one priority in life was providing for and loving his family. John was hardworking, generous, devoted, patient, fun-loving, kind, and an avid storyteller. John made friends everywhere he went, telling silly jokes and funny stories. With his white beard and big smile, it was easy to mistake John for Santa Clause himself. He was also a devoted Catholic, serving as both a eucharistic minister and lector at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Overland Park, KS. John was preceded in death by his father, Jack Benson. Survivors include his loving wife of 33 years, Joann Benson, and his three daughters, Lori Delorit and husband Aaron of the Kansas City area, Lisa Determan and husband Scott of Phoenix, AZ, and Amy Benson of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by his mother, Bernadette Benson of Overland Park, KS, his brother, Paul Benson and wife Sue and daughter Sarah, his mother-in-law, Luella Goodnow of Sioux City, IA, his sister-in-law, Kathy Armbright of Sioux City, IA, and his niece, Meghan Armbright of North Sioux City, SD. Arrangements: McGilley & Hoge Chapel 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS. 66204 (913) 642-3565.
|
