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Vernon Benson Obituary
GRANITE QUARRY - Mr. Vernon A. Benson, 89, of Granite Quarry, passed away Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, at The Laurels of Salisbury.
Born Sept. 19, 1924, in Rowan County, he was the son of the late Ruth Foster Benson and William Luther Benson. He was educated in Rowan County schools, graduated from Granite Quarry High School and attended Catawba College.
Mr. Benson was a professional baseball player, was signed to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1943, signed by the famous Connie Mack, owner and manager. His sports career was interrupted at a young age as Vernon courageously served with the U.S. Army in World War II under General Patton, receiving the EAME Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star. He then returned from military service to play with the St. Louis Cardinals and won a starting third base position in 1951. He also coached the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants; and served as a major league scout. He also played baseball in Cuba with Fidel Castro in the stands. Mr. Benson also managed winter league teams in Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.
He was a member of the First United Church of Christ and Granite Quarry American Legion Post 448. He was inducted into Catawba College Hall of Fame in 1978 and the North Carolina American Legion Hall of Fame in 1979. He was Minor League Manager of the Year in 1979.
In addition to his parents, his wife, Rachel Lyerly Benson, who he married Oct. 23, 1946, preceded him in death on April 6, 2008; also his brother, William Benson; son-in-law Benny Callahan; and a grandson, Cody Randall Benson.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Randy Benson and wife Dale of Salisbury and their children, Shanna Hinson and husband Brian, Shea Overcash and husband Micah and Sharla Drury and husband Charlie; daughter Bonnie Shaw and husband Bill of Salisbury and their children, Chandler Shaw and wife Mary Buford and Haley Wishon and husband Jarrett; daughter Robin Callahan of Concord and her children, Denver and Caylan Callahan; great-grandchildren Elinor, Elsie, Benson, Beckett, Gil, Adair and Chandler; special brother-in-law Thomas Joe Lyerly, with whom he resided; brother-in-law James E. Lyerly; and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements: The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 23) in the First United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall with service to follow at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary with Rev. Carol Hallman officiating. Interment will follow at Rowan Memorial Park.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St., Salisbury, NC 28144.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Laurels, Jo Eagle, Mary Dunaway, Irene Seeley and Becky Burchette for their care of Mr. Benson.
Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Benson family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Vernon Benson
Judy Jones Powell
February 6, 2014
Much heart felt sympathy and prayers
Many fond family memories are truly a blessing.
Much
Alan Biggers
January 30, 2014
My heart goes out to the Benson family. Mr. Benson gave me the opportunity to play professional baseball and I will forever be thankful! Vern was always a true southern gentleman!
John &Tex Simone
January 25, 2014
Randy both Tex and myself are sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. The nicest man the both of us ever met in baseball We had a lot of fun in 1979 and I can tell you he enjoyed that season the most especially with you pitching as well as you did. He was very proud of you and what you accomplished that season. God made one Vern Benson and we are both honored that we had an opportunity to become his friend
Karen Lyerly-Keen
January 25, 2014
Yes - the stories could go on and on forever. Usually ending with several in Maw-Maws front room in tears (Uncle Vernon being no exception!). In classic family style, no one was safe from a joke or story being told about them. Gosh forbid you wear two different shoes to work! ;) My fondest and most indelible memories will always be the nights before Dad, Mom (Bill and Opal Lyerly) and I left Granite Quarry to head home to DC. I would sit on the floor, usually helping Jean with a puzzle, and listen to Vernon, Rachel, PJ, Kathryn and ALL of my amazing, eclectic family talk and share stories. I would literally stare at them to etch their memories in my mind as they spoke and one by one said good-bye and left Maw-Maw's. How incredibly blessed we all have been to have this person in our lives in whatever capacity. Karen Lyerly Keen
Georgianna & Vance Thomas
January 25, 2014
Bonnie and your brothers and family and Joe Lyerly and James Lyerly and family,
We were fortunate to get to know Vernon. What a wonderful man. Our prayers are with you.
January 24, 2014
Sharla, Charlie, and Benson Family,
Words can not convey the heart felt sorrow I feel at this passing of your Grandfather. If there is anything I can say, it is I love you both and I am only a phone call away. May God take you in his arms and sustain you and the family now and always.
William Cagle
David and Nancy Mobley
January 23, 2014
We were certainly honored to be neighbors with Vern and Rachel from 2001-2006. We lived across the street from them, and they were always so friendly and helpful to us. Being a lifelong baseball fan, I had heard the name "Vern Benson" for over 40 years, and I always loved talking about baseball with him. I know he will be missed, but we know he and Rachel are together with The Lord. Our condolences to the whole family.
Chris Stiller
January 23, 2014
Randy, So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. May GOD's peace be with you and your family.
Your Friend,
Chris "Eyes" Stiller
Thomas Byrd
January 23, 2014
Vern will be missed. My family enjoyed getting to know him and his family the last several years.
Thomas M Byrd and family.
Vern Benson Yankee Coach 1965-66
Maurice Doss
January 23, 2014
Randy My prayers go out to you today, as I just seen the news online about your dad. We spoke together when I lived in Buffalo, while I was working on a 100 year Minor League Register. I was fortunate of writing to your dad in 2006, and received his autograph. Will be in touch, as I was wondering if you are still scouting.
January 23, 2014
Our deepest sympathy to the family. May you find peace from the God of comfort and tender mercies.
MITZI GOODMAN
January 23, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. I know Miss Rachel was waiting for him with a smile on her face. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. So sorry I couldn't be at the visitation and service. God Bless You all
Mitzi Starks Goodman
Betty Rambo Diehl
January 23, 2014
May God bless you. May you find strength to face the days ahead as you are surrounded by family and friends.
So sorry for the loss of one so dear.....always wore a welcoming smile......now he joins Mom.
COLONEL77
January 22, 2014
We wish to offer our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, all other relatives, many associates across baseball and the large number of longtime / lifelong friends and fans of VERN BENSON upon his departure from the scene ...
Vern was a good ballplayer, a great baseball coach and field manager and an even finer gentleman who shall be greatly missed but will be fondly remembered forever by all those of us who knew him or met him over time ...
Only God knows how well you played the game ...
Thanks for everything, Vern ... We shall remember.
COLONEL 77
Carol Diehl
January 22, 2014
Lary & I have fond memories of the Benson family. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
January 22, 2014
What a wonderful person, I was lucky he was my uncle. He always made me feel special. Thanks for all the great memories growing up. Bonnie, Robin and Randy, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love always, Brenda
Bobby Martin
January 22, 2014
Randy and Dale, So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
MARTY NAVE
January 22, 2014
to randy and to the benson family.there is much sadness in the syracuse chiefs family and mine.i will remember first meeting vern in january 1978 at the chiefs hotstove.i always knew of him as a baseball fan.for the 2 seasons at old macarthur stadium vern was a very kind and friendly fellow and i always enjoyed talking about the 1964 world series and the yankees.he showed me the world series ring he won with st.louis.i was a director of the chiefs knothole club and tribe booster club and vern and the players always participated in our events.i still have a letter he sent me in 1980 when he coached the giants for dave bristol.my sincere sympathies to the benson family.i was blessed to have known vern not as much as a player or manager but as a person. god love you all.
Anne Greenland Kennedy
January 22, 2014
To the Benson and Lyerly families, I am so sorry to hear of Vernon's passing. He was a wonderful person. I'm glad that I got to know him better the last few years in the Sunday School class. No matter how he felt, he was always cheerful and upbeat. I know you have many special memories to cherish. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Wilson and Deb Crook
January 22, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Vernon was loved by everyone that knew him. May God wrap his loving arms around you and give you peace.
January 22, 2014
Shanna,
Sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Alan, Kim, Brandon, and Taylor Walton
Steve Cude
January 22, 2014
Randy, Dale, and the rest of Mr. Benson's family, thoughts and prayers are with you. What a wonderful thing to have had him with you for so long.
Michael Dugan
January 22, 2014
To the Benson Family:
MLB has lost one its dearest brothers.
Vern was a fan favorite and he will surely be missed.
Save a place in heaven Vern ...I wanna be on your team.
Peace.
Patti Boles
January 22, 2014
Vernon was my father's best friend. He was a wonderful man. Rest in God's arms until Daddy gets there.
Ashley Minton
January 22, 2014
JB, Bonnie, Robin and family - Mark and I are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Benson was such a sweet man and I know he meant so much to Haley and Chandler. We will be thinking of you all as you say goodbye this week.
January 22, 2014
Sharla, Charlie, and Family,
Your Grandfather was a wonderful person and a gift to every one he touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you at this time. The Huddlestons
Steve Harvel
January 22, 2014
Vernon will be terribly missed. I know he is in heaven now reminding Mickey Mantle that his own signing bonus was bigger. Who is going to share those great baseball stories now? RIP, Vernon
Ken Beck
January 22, 2014
This man touched so many lives over the years. Having him tell you about baseball or showing you how to hit was
a young man's dream.
He will be missed by many. I pray for the Peace only God can give for his family, and many friends,
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