Donald Charles Benson

Donald Charles (Jack) Benson of Longmont, Colorado died at his home on March 2, 2007. He was 84.Donald was born August 9, 1922 in Duluth, Minnesota to Charles John and Ruth Amy (Schiltz) Benson. Due to his father's poor health, the family moved to San Diego, California where Don attended Sweetwater Union High School. In 1938 he joined the National Guard, was assigned to the 251st Coast Artillery Unit, which was mobilized in 1940 and sent to Oahu, Hawaii. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, his unit was transferred to the Fiji Islands. In early 1943 he was accepted in the Army Air Corps and returned to the states for pilot training, earning his wings on February 8, 1944, and assigned to fly P-40/P-51 fighter planes. Four days later on February 12 Don married Jeanne Frances Brown in San Diego.Don was discharged from active duty on September 25, 1945, but remained in active reserves with the Air Force until his retirement as a major in 1982.In 1946, in Winslow, Arizona, Don began employment with the Civil Aeronautics Administration. He was transferred to Palmdale, California and then in 1955 to Denver, Colorado with the Federal Aviation Agency as an Air Route Traffic Controller. The FAA Center relocated to Longmont in 1962 where Don retired in December 1985.Don had a tremendous passion for airplanes and flying, soloing in a stearman trainer at age 16 and attaining licenses to fly multi-engine military and commercial aircraft and as an instructor. He also flew search and rescue missions for the Air Force and the FAA. He loved traveling, cruising, camping, fishing, World War II history, and the Denver Broncos.Don was a member of the Spirit of Peace Catholic Church in Longmont, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Retired Veterans of the 251st Coast Artillery.Don (Jack) fought a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease and will be remembered always for his love of his wonderful, large family. He dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.Mr. Benson was preceded in death by his parents; his parents in law: David and Maudie Brown; and an infant grandson, Gregory Trueblood.He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeanne; two sons: Donald Benson, Jr. and his wife Connie of Burnsville, Minnesota and Michael Benson and his wife Janet of Aurora, Colorado; two daughters: Sharyn Trueblood and her husband Everett of Aurora, Colorado and Teresa Garrison and her husband Jeffery of Longmont; 27 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.He is survived also by a sister, Naomi McConnell and her husband Peter of San Diego, California; a sister in law, Patricia Simpson and her husband Robert of Nuevo, California; two brother in laws: Leslie Brown and his wife Sally of Escondido, California and David Brown and his wife Charlotte of San Diego, California; and many nephews and nieces.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Spirit of Peace Catholic Church with Reverend Frank Maroney as Celebrant. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Howe Mortuary of Longmont. Inurnment will take place at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Representatives of the United States Air Force Honor Guard will provide military honors.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Colorado Chapter, 455 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203 or to Hospice of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026.