Obituary of James Benson

James Marion Benson, cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, was serenaded by angels into heaven on Monday, May 30, 2016. He entered this life October 18, 1924 at America, Oklahoma joining the family of John Iver and Anna Elizabeth (McCormick) Benson and older brother, John. He attended elementary schools at Clebit, Garvin, and Golden. His high school years at Battiest were interrupted by World War II. During this time, he served in the Navy as an Armed Guard aboard the S.S. Cape May, S.S. William Prouse, S.S. Ida M. Terbell and the S.S. Geo. Grile. He was awarded citations for the Asiatic Pacific campaign, American Area campaign, European and African Middle Eastern campaign. Returning home he graduated from Battiest High School and went to college on the G.I. Bill. He received a B.S. degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and was the first person to ever receive the Master’s degree from there. A well respected educator, he began his career teaching in a one room school at Rough Edge in Pushmataha County. Later he taught at Clebit, Golden and Denison Schools in McCurtain County before being elected County Superintendent in 1960. He served 8 years in that office and resigned to become Superintendent of Haworth for 7 years and later Superintendent at Smithville. After 3 years, he joined the State Department of Education and retired as a State Auditor in 1986 ending a career in education that spanned 38 years. He then went in to full-time ranching. He was a member of the First Baptist Church having given his life to the Lord at a young age and was baptized in Silver Creek. His passions in life consisted of his family, hunting, ranching, and sports. In early life he excelled as an athlete, especially in baseball, where he was offered to tryout by the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a member of the Broken Bow and Idabel Masonic Lodges and a 32nd degree Mason, Veteran of Foreign War, American Legion, McCurtain County Cattleman’s Association, McCurtain County Health Board, and McCurtain Co. Retired Educators. He was a driving force to establish and record the history of the Clebit timber towns. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Jimmie, very special in-laws, Claborn and Marie Ferguson, brothers, John, Bill, Jerry and Bob, sisters, Jean and Wanda, brother-in-law, J.C. Ferguson and his wife, Cecile, and their son, Johnny, sister-in-law, Irene Houston and her husband, Harry. James is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Fayrene, son, Tony and wife, Gladysann, granddaughter, Fawn Creighton and husband, Brandon, grandson, Blaze and wife, Jamie, great-grandchildren, Presleigh and Cannon Creighton, Billie and Dash Benson, all of Montgomery, TX, special nieces Thela Leonard and Sandra Smith, nephew, Elton Ferguson, all of Idabel, many other caring nephews, nieces and cousins that do not live locally. His life will always be remembered as a loving, caring, tireless journey to countless friends and especially his family who loved him so much. Lovingly written by Fayrene In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McCurtain County Veteran's Museum or a charity of your choice.