George Randall Benedict

George R. Benedict, 91, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, died Friday, June 20, 2025 at his home in Eldridge. Private graveside services will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Fairmount Cemetery, Davenport. Memorials may be made in his name, to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (lls.org).

Mr. Benedict was born March 3, 1934, in Shenandoah, Iowa, the son of Kenneth and Eva. (Sheirbon) Benedict. He married Carol Ann Bradley Lloyd in 1987 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was a gaffer for motion pictures and television, never retiring.

He graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1952. After graduation, he enlisted in the National Guard of Iowa. He reached the rank of Sergeant in the National Guard of Iowa and was honorably discharged in November 1960. During this time he also worked alongside his father on the family farm, as a projectionist in various movie theaters and worked for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, traveling throughout the midwest installing telephone communication lines, moving to Florida to help install communications at Cape Canaveral, before deciding to switch careers and work as an electrician and gaffer, ultimately settling in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He worked in the television and motion picture industry. He and his company also provided power and lighting for concerts and events for musicians, celebrities, and politicians, including those running for offices as high as the President of the United States.

He was a lifetime member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), starting at Davenport Local 85 in the 1950s. He joined Ft. Lauderdale Local 646 in the 1960s where he was president prior to its transformation into Local 500. He eventually honorably withdrew from the 500 and transferred his membership to Miami Local 477 in 2009. He always enjoyed his work, hunting, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Carol Benedict, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; a step-daughter and son-in-law, Nicole (Antuña) and Rick Pilcher of Princeton, IA; grandsons, Ryan Pilcher of Davenport, IA and William Pilcher of Princeton, IA, granddaughter, Courtney Pilcher and his great-granddaughter, Carmen of Evansdale, IA, and numerous other cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth L.Benedict in 2003 and Eva I. (Sheirbon) Benedict in 1977, and his sister, Karen L. Benedict, in 1994.