Karl Rickert "Rick" Benson

Karl Rickert Benson, Jr. ("Rick"), 78, of Maggie Valley, NC passed away April 28, 2025 just one month after a cancer diagnosis. His daughters were by his side.
Born in 1947 to Karl Rickert and Betty Beale Benson in Burlington, NC, Rick later grew up in Concord, NC where he met his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, May Merritt. Rick and May were married 51 years, raised two devoted daughters, and made countless friends throughout their time in North Carolina, New Jersey, Illinois, New York, and Texas. They retired happily to the mountains of North Carolina in 2003.
Rick graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1969 where he proudly served in the Navy ROTC. After receiving an honorable discharge, Rick pivoted to a successful executive career of more than 30 years with Allstate Insurance Company.
Rick's greatest joy was his family, and he was most proud of his four grandchildren who loved him dearly. His faith was steadfast and through it he was a blessing to many. Rick enjoyed being with his treasured friends and family - discovering and sharing new music, spending lazy weeks at Holden Beach, and solving the world's problems. He never met a sport he didn't enjoy, and he was great at them all. He delighted in challenging his daughters' friends on the basketball court, and later beating his sons-in-law and grandkids at golf, both on the links and the mini golf course.
In addition to his wife May, Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Betty, and other beloved members of the Benson, Beale, Merritt, and Sweet families.
Rick is survived by daughters Janet Benson Forville (Bret) and Merritt Benson Ulman (Patrick), granddaughters Bennett Forville and Ellamay Ulman, grandsons Everett Forville and Keller Ulman, sister Loretta Benson Peterson (Bruce), extended family, and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lake Hills Church, 370 Lake Dr., Candler, NC 28715 or Southwest NC Fellowship of Christian Athletes, PO Box 6544, Hendersonville, NC 28793.
Smoky Mountain Cremations and Funeral Service of Maggie Valley is caring for the family, and the online register is available at www.smokymountaincremations.com.