Mitchell W. Benson

1956 - 2024

Mitchell W. Benson, 68, of Twentynine Palms, died in Billings, Montana, on Oct. 9, 2024.
Mitchell was born in San Diego on Oct. 2, 1956, to Harold and Shirley Benson.
He graduated from Mount Miguel High in Spring Valley. Mitchell attended Savannah State University on an ROTC scholarship before transferring to UCLA and graduating with his bachelor's degree.
He entered Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in the summer of 1978 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He reported to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, in Twentynine Palms, later that year. During his 15 years in the Marines, he was assigned to commands in Twentynine Palms, MCRD San Diego, Okinawa, New Orleans and finally returning to Twentynine Palms for his final duty, where he left as a captain. A year later, he spent six months in the reserves at Quantico, Virginia, where he was promoted to the rank of major.
After finishing his Marine Corps career, he returned to college to obtain his teaching degree.
He had a 20-year career with MUSD as a sixth-grade teacher, split between Oasis Elementary and Joshua Tree Elementary. He retired from teaching at the end of the 2022 school year.
During his first tour to Twentynine Palms, he met his wife, Catherine Dobler. They were married in 1986 and welcomed two sons in 1987 and 1989.
Mitchell was preceded in death by father Harold, mother Shirley (Waechter), brothers Michael and Mark.
He is survived by wife Catherine, daughter Serina Zuniga, sons Troy (Genee) Monaghan, Matthew (Erika) Benson and Marcus (Rebecca) Benson. He was blessed to enjoy six granddaughters (Tabitha, Gillian, Patricia, Janelle, Mary and Michelle), grandson (Mason) and granddaughter on the way (Mia).