He was the son of Lewis J. Benson and Edith Evans-Benson. He is survived by his true love and devoted wife of 61 years, Barbara Jean Benson and his two sons, Andrew Kent Benson and his wife Renee Benson of Lincoln, NE and Jeremy William Benson and his wife Erin Benson of Frisco, TX. He had five grandchildren Jessica Nobbe, Nathan Benson, and Michael Benson (children of Andrew), and Chandler Benson and Thatcher Benson (children of Jeremy). He also had four great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Nobbe and Thomas Nobbe (children of Jessica and Sam Nobbe) and Cooper Benson and Brynlee Benson (children of Nathan and Sidney Benson). He also is also survived by his sister, Peggy Engstrom and was preceded in death by his younger sister Karen Kaems. He had three nieces Julie Dove (daughter of Peggy), Leslie Kaems, and Lori Campbell (daughters of Karen).
Jerry grew up on a farm in Searcy Arkansas and graduated from Searcy High School in 1958. He attended Harding University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He married his wife and sole love of his live, Barbara Jean Boaz, in 1964 in Heber Springs, Arkansas. They lived in Arkansas for several years before moving to Oskaloosa Iowa and then Ankeny Iowa. He worked in accounting for many years within the Iowa health care system before moving to Grand Prairie Texas and worked for 20 years for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He retired to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2005.
Jerry loved cowboys and horses, and always remembered his childhood horse, Prince, that he loved and rode around their family farm. He loved boots, cowboy hats, leather, and saddles and even crafted several leather saddles by hand and he crafted leather vests for each of his grandchildren in his retirement. Jerry was also a strong family man who never missed his sons’ events. He spent quality time with his grandchildren drawing, fishing, and he loved to play baseball with them and attend their events. Most important of all, Jerry had an unwavering faith in God, and he saw to it that his Christian faith was passed on to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He led by example, never one to be made a fuss of, but he was always one to lend a hand to anywhere a hand was needed. He leaves behind a void in the hearts of his family and friends, but also a legacy of an entire family who also share his unwavering faith in God.
The funeral service is at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 18th at Roper & Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 O Street, Lincoln, NE with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM that morning. Jerry’s grandsons and great grandsons will be serving as pall bearers.