Eldon C. "Ted" Benson Jr.

BENSON, JR., ELDON C. "TED", Eldon C. "Ted" Benson, Jr., 76, of Rutherfordton, NC, died Tuesday, October 16, 2007, at the V.A. Medical Center, Asheville, NC. A native of Virginia and 29 year resident of Broward County, FL, Ted was a 1950 graduate of Virginia Episcopal School, Lynchburg, VA, and a 1954 graduate of Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA. Ted was a talented musician and while attending V.M.I., he was the leader and trumpet soloist of the "Commanders", a 17 member ensemble first formed in 1917 that was styled after the Glenn Miller Orchestra of the 1940's big band era. After graduation from V.M.I., Ted served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was a Veteran of the Korean War. Ted is survived by his wife, Elizabeth C. Benson; daughter, Linda C. Smith, Wellington, FL; sons, Donald C. Benson, Wellington, FL, and Stephen Benson, Miami Beach, FL; sisters Ann Ayers, Bluefield, VA and Jean Hughes, Raleigh, NC; brother, Robert Benson, Miami Shores, FL; three grandchildren, Crystal Benson, Blake and Austin Smith; and one great- grandchild, Hannah Benson. The family will receive friends during a Remembrance for Ted from 1 to 5 P.M. Sunday, October 21, 2007, at McMahan's Funeral Home, 249 S. Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the V.M.I. Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA, in memory of Eldon C. "Teddy" Benson, Jr.An online guest register may be viewed at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.