Jerry S. Benson

Jerry S. Benson, Jr. died on March 12, 2010 surrounded by his family and friends in Austin Texas, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Syracuse, New York on October 8, 1956, he graduated in 1975 from Fayetteville-Manlius High School and went on to Duke University on a full athletic scholarship. He graduated Cum Laude, with a B.S. in Psychology while leading the Duke Swim Team as captain. Although never formally educated in the computer sciences, Jerry moved to Chicago to work for the Amdek Corporation during the early stages of the computer industry. That is what Jerry did, he found an interest and mastered every detail. From there he became the President and COO of NEC Technologies. In the late 1990's he moved to Texas to become President and CEO of the VTEL Corporation. At the time of his death, he was a partner in The Orange Group. Jerry's interests were varied and many. He was very involved in numismatics and had an extensive collection of superlative coins especially from the first century of Mint production. He loved and studied astronomy. Jerry was a published writer and had a love for movies. He had a zest for learning, a phenomenal sense of humor. He was fortunate to have traveled all over the world. Jerry's biggest source of love and joy was his cherished family here in Austin; wife Kiki and his children Maria and Jerry. A day spent with them, was a complete day. He had such pride in his extended family and his wonderful friends who gravitated toward his generous spirit and interest and love for life. Jerry is survived by his wonderful wife Kiki and children Jerry III (14) and Mary (16), his 3 children who live in Chicago - Bethany (27), Emma (22), and Nicholas (19), his mother Nancy Benson, brother CDR Stephen Benson USN ret (Michele), sister Kristen Robinson (Brian) all of Manlius, sister Kimberly Fellows (Scott) of West Chester, Pa. and 8 nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Jerry S. Benson, Sr. A Trisagion service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, Lake Travis. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 414 St. Stephens School Road, Austin with Fr. Michael Lambakis and Fr. Jordan Brown officiating. The pallbearers will be: Stephen Benson (brother), Jeff O'Hara (brother-in-law), Scott Fellows (brother-in-law), David Nelson (friend), Nicolaos Spiropoulos (friend), Michael Daskalantonakis (friend), and Bill Loupakos (friend). Memorial contributions may be made to the Maria and Jerry Benson Scholarship Fund as follows: Chase Bank - Routing #111000614 - Acct #2942270428 Checks Payable to Kiki Benson Memo Line - Maria and Jerry Benson Scholarship Fund