John Thomas Benson

John Thomas Benson was born on January 30, 1940, to Morris and Kathryn (Jackson) Benson in Dawson, Minnesota. He graduated from Dawson High School in 1958 and attended Macalester College in St Paul, graduating in 1962. While at Macalester, he met Connie Jean Jernander, a physical education major from Robbinsdale, and they married on June 2, 1962. 

After graduation, John pursued his dream of flying and joined the United States Navy, completing flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Over the next several years, he flew P-3 Orions out of Thailand and then served in the Naval Reserves. After daughter Vicki arrived in 1965 and son Christopher in 1967, the family settled into a home in Eagan, Minnesota, and John joined Northwest Orient Airlines as a commercial pilot. He flew for them in all their variations until his retirement as a senior 747 Captain in 2000. 

During the late ‘80’s, they purchased a property near Las Vegas, dividing their time between Nevada and Minnesota. In the mid-90’s, they made the move permanent. John became very active in the local American Legion and the Masonic Lodge, serving as Commander at the Legion and Worshipful Master at the Lodge. John loved his family and friends deeply. He was a loyal spectator at all of his kids’ and grandkids’ sports and musical endeavors, and he cherished any time spent around a table with those he loved. He could strike up a conversation with almost anyone, always listening well and asking questions. 

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Connie and his parents. Survived by his daughter Vicki and son Chris (Peg) and grandsons Sam, Nate, and Matt, his sister Joan Olson, sister-in-law Carol Miller, nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends.

Celebration of Life at 2 pm on April 8, 2026, at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd, Stillwater, MN, with visitation one hour prior and refreshments following. Private interment at Acacia Park Cemetery.