Gordon L. Benson

Gordon LeRoy Benson, 89, of Ventura died suddenly on Monday, August 20, 2012. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah on June 16, 1923. He was raised in Utah until the age of 12 and then moved to Southern California. Gordon resided in Northridge from 1951 until 1970, Woodland Hills from 1970 until 1974 and then Ventura for the past 38 years.

Gordon graduated from Bell High School in 1941. Just before he turned 18 he joined Chennault’s American Volunteer Air Force and went to China to become a member of the original Flying Tigers. In 1942, the 14th Air Force of the Army took over and he continued to fly for the Army until August 1945. Gordon had a total of 230 combat missions and 606 hours of combat hours. He received an air medal with one cluster, two distinguished flying crosses with clusters, a European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, an Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon with two bronze stars and a good conduct medal. Later in life he received a medal from the Chinese government thanking him for his service to China.

In August of 1945, Gordon met the love of his life, Dorothy Maxey, and married her on February 3, 1946. He attended USC in September of 1945 and received his Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

In 1948, Gordon started working for Ralphs Grocery Co. and remained with them until 1963. He then went into Real Estate and eventually became a Broker, owning Woodland Hills Reality. Gordon retired from Real Estate in 1983. He then sold motor homes for Barber RV and Crown RV until his final retirement in 1993.

Gordon loved to water ski, fish and enjoyed traveling, especially in an R.V. He was a member of the Al Malki Shriners and the Ventura Elk’s Lodge #1430.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy; four children, Richard Benson (former wife Aurora), Donna (Chuck) Sheardown, Jane (Ralph) Ninfo and Karen (James) Lucky; seventeen grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren with one on the way! He is also survived by one brother, Boyd; sister, Carol; and countless nieces and nephews. Gordon was preceded in death by his sister, Arlene.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 31, 2012, 11:00 A.M. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, Gordon would love for you to donate to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, 3160 Geneva Street Los Angeles, CA 90020, (213) 388-3151, or to the Ventura Elk’s Lodge #1430, 2126 Knoll Drive, Ventura, CA 93003, (805) 639-0303.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory