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CLEO BENSON Obituary
July 3, 1908 to November 25, 2010
Cleo Benson was born in Ottawa, Kansas, at the turn of the twentieth century. More than 102 years later he fell asleep in death, "old and satisfied." As was true of an earlier centenarian described in the Bible named Daniel, Cleo was viewed by God as a "very desirable man" enjoying a long life rich with meaning and purpose in sacred service. He rests now, but will soon 'stand up for his lot at the end of the days.' A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at 7:00 p.m., at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located at 2710 Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA 92102.
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Memories and Condolences
for CLEO BENSON
Melody Davis
November 27, 2024
I remember riding in the back of Papa Bensons station wagon to the stinky dump area that used to be across from Chollas Lake. Back then the hills of the dump seemed so big, trash was everywhere, it was so stinky, and seagulls where flying all over, but it was so much fun goin up and down the dirt hills!!!
Tracy Nalls
December 20, 2010
I will always remember the smile and warm greeting from Bro. Benson everytime I came to visit. I will miss him dearly.
Melody
December 15, 2010
I remember "Papa" since I was about 4 years old. He was very "fatherly". He would fuss at me if needed, or give me some good advice about riding my bike or tips on how to handle my homemade skateboard. And over the years it remained the same, he would say what he needed to say, and he was always positive and encouraging. And I always knew it was out of love.
Kim and Diana Vance
December 12, 2010
Bro. Benson was one of the first brothers my mom and I met after moving to San Diego. Throughout the years he was a brother who showed a genuine concern for me by giving me some sort of encouragement, and it never failed that he always asked "how's your mother" whenever I'd see him. I will miss him and I am encouraged that he remained faithful to the end.
Ruth Lovett
December 9, 2010
For the Benson Family in Memory of thier loved one and ours. Few people have touched the lives of so many friends in such a positive as Cleo Benson. His faith was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. Its hard to think of him without a smile coming to our lips because thats the way we remember him best. We hope to see him again in Paradise.
Randy Jones
December 8, 2010
Cleo was just a firecracker. My wife and I have known Cleo and Ruth for 27 years. He was one of the first Brothers I met when we came into the truth. I did have the pleasure to work with in the ministry and learned much from him. We will miss him and will continue to work toward seeing him and Ruth when they awake.
Randy and Arlene Jones
Tijeras, New Mexico
December 7, 2010
I remember Bro. Benson in street work, in downtown San Diego shortly after my becoming one of Jehovah's Witness. He was very active in the ministry, thereby setting a good example for one to imitate in the preaching work. I was encouraged just by his presence there. His absence is, we must remember is only temporary. "He will call,and the dead will answer".
In the mean time he will be missed...
Brenda Carter...
California City, Calif.
Angela Goldstein
December 6, 2010
I will miss my friend who always had a smile and a hand shake.
December 6, 2010
We all loved Brother Benson. What a great example of endurance and love for us and may Jehovah remember him in the new world to come....we are missing him at the meetings sitting next to the sound system....May Jehovah give you strength and loving kindness...The Stuber Family
Edith Drake-Winters
December 6, 2010
Bro. Benson was the first Witness to knock at my door back in the early 1970's. Although I didn't show interest at the time, I closed my door thinking what a nice man he was. I reminded him of this fact years later after becoming a Witness,and thanked him for 'planting the seed'. With his warm smile, he was very humble and gracious. My condolences and prayers are with his family. May all of us continue to stay in Jehovah's love and look forward to seeing our dear Brother Benson once again for all time.
Richard De La Cruz
December 6, 2010
We have lost a very Good Dear Bro. he was like and uncle to me and too many others. He will be missed but we will see him very soon in the New system.
Carol & James Jones
December 6, 2010
What a wonderful and rich life! I am trying to imagine all the changes Mr. Benson experienced in his lifetime. From horses to jet planes and from chopping wood to all electric homes. He was blessed and his family was blessed to have him. Carol Jones (friend of Charlotte)
December 6, 2010
My prayers and love to your family and to you, dear friend, Charlotte. What a beautiful life of a beautiful man.
Love, Barb Howe, Evergreen, CO
December 6, 2010
I am so very sorry for your loss, my prayers and love to your family. LaVonne Griffie, ParkAvenue, Denver Co
Russ and Joanne Kamp
December 5, 2010
December 4, 2010
Brother Darrell Jones sent us web page with the biography of Brother Benson. Knowing Darrell and Donna as I do, I can understand the influence that Brother Benson must have had on them as couple.
You can tell alot by the warmness of his smile and his lifelong service to Jehovah. Though my wife and I did not know Cleo, we can imagine the kind of servant he was to Jehovah. Integrity is an important quality and one worth imitating. What plans Jehovah must have for this faithful man. Look forward to meeting him in the new earth. Our love goes to the family
and those who will miss him.
MARJORIE WATTS
December 5, 2010
TO THE FAMILY OF UNCLE CLEO.
I AM SO DEEPLY TOUCHED BY THE LONG LIFE HE LIVED TO 102, AND HIS HEART FELT DESIRE TO BE INDEPENDENT, JUST AMAZES ME TO THIS DAY.
WITH MY LOVE AND RESPECT.
MARJORIE WATTS AND FAMILY
Susan Smith
December 4, 2010
We were students together in the Pioneer Service School 1980...What a wonderful spiritual time we had with Bro. Benson and his happy disposition. He will be missed.
Darrell & Donna Jones
December 4, 2010
Dear Friends;
Brother Benson was our first Book Study Overseer as a newly married couple. We enjoyed his earnest effort to encourage the group in field service and Bible study. As our sons grew into young publishers of the good news, they also benefitted from his honest manner of speaking the Good News. Many were reached by his ministry over the years and surely many of us benefitted from his zeal in the ministry. We enjoyed his laugh and easy manner in joking with people weather old friends or just meeting them for the first time. We hope to see him soon as this wicked system ends!
Debra Carter-Tarkany
December 4, 2010
Having known Bro 'B' since I was eight, I've always considered him a grandfather. He took the truth so seriously and field service was his life;Always, you'd see him in the preaching work, or talking about it! He would always check on your service group to make sure everyone was okay and had something to do when the territory was done. He treated Sister Benson like a china doll, even when she was younger and healthier. I remember him always praying over the meal at gatherings (and where there was food, there was Benson!). When I was young, I'd feel the prayer would never end and we'd never eat. Now, as an adult,my lengthy prayers over my food are often commented on-the hungrier I am, the longer the prayer! He taught me appreciation in so many ways. At this year's convention, both of us debilitated by this system and on walkers, I challenged him to a race in the New Order he laughed and agreed to a race. I'd better get in shape! Bro
B, you will be sooo missed but I'll see ya later!
Karin Davidson
December 4, 2010
I first met Brother Benson in 1972 when my mother decided that we were going to be Jehovah's Witnesses. Back then we attended the G stree Congegation. Boy could Brother Benson sing. You could hear him over the whole Congegation. As the years past, my sisters went on to become Witnesses but not me. I was the black sheep of the family, but that never stopped him from welcoming me with a warm smile and a big hug everytime I showed up for a Meeting, Memorial, or convention. He always said the same thing,"Glad to see you keep comeing back" just like in my NA meetings. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by all who knew him.
Karin Davidson
December 4, 2010
I first met Brother Benson in 1972 when my mother decide that we were going to be Jehovah's witness. We attended the G street congregation back then and it was always a pleasure to here him sing. He sang with so much inthusiasum. You could here his voic over the whole congregation. Always kind and smilling. As years past, my sisters all became witness's but not me. I was and always have been the black sheep of the family but that never stoped him from greating me with a warm smile and a big hug everytime I showed up for a meeting, Memorial, or Convention. He always told me to keep comming back just like in my NA meetings. He was a wonderful man and he will truly be missed by all who knew him.
December 3, 2010
Brother Benson always had a smile for everyone. I did not know him personally but I would always stop and greet him. I am sure he will be missed. And we will all wait on Jehovah to bring him back so we can say to him welcome back Cleo. Sis. Ahlin from the No. Park Congregation
David and Becky Homa
December 3, 2010
He was never missing from meetings and always there with a smile up to the end. We will miss him very much.
December 3, 2010
I'm 80 years old, and young in years compared to Cleo, but we got to know each other when we exchanged speaking engagements at Valley Congregation and his various Kingdom Halls. When we would see each other, he would run and grab me and hug me and hold on...even though he was the elderly one. I gave the talk "The Bible's Fight to Live" which he loved. I was shocked to see him at the 2010 District Convention in San Diego...and we again hugged. We'll hug again in the new system. He was TRULY, " A Very Desirable Man!"...
both to all who knew him and to our Heavenly Father, Jehovah. Daryl Visser, El Cajon Valley Congregation of JW's.
Donald Breit
December 3, 2010
I've have some fond memories of working with Cleo at the conventions. Loved hearing his Bible talks to the congregation. He always had a smile on and I will miss him. I know that he is in God's memory. May Jehovah the God of all comfort bless his family as we await his resurrection.
Keren Guevara
December 3, 2010
It was always a pleasure to see him working at the conventions. I can't wait to greet him again in the resurrection.
Ronald King
December 3, 2010
I've been aquaintedd with Brother Benson for a number. Truly awonderful Brother indeed. Glad I saw him at the convention. Will miss him dearly
Peter, Cathy, Ryan & PJ Aniban
December 3, 2010
Faithful in all things. He was an anchor to our Handicap Attendant Department at the District level. We look forward to seeing you soon!!!
December 3, 2010
It was such a pleasure to be around Cleo and to worked with him at the conventions.
Armando & Sandra Zaragoza
December 3, 2010
Jerry, Debra and Bryah Odom
December 3, 2010
Cleo was a faithful longtime friend--we knew him when we served the circuit in the 1990's and saw him periodically in recent years. May Jehovah bless his resurrection soon. Randall & Doris Davis
December 3, 2010
Chris & Ericka Miller
December 3, 2010
LaShaun and Darryl Weems
Showing 1 - 38 of 38 results
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