Ward Russell Benson

Ward Russell Benson passed away June 22nd, 2016 at the age of 87 years. He was born on August 5th, 1928, at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. His father was a World War I veteran, and his mother a homemaker from a large family in southeast Missouri. They were active members of the Swedish community in Kansas City and belonged to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Westport. Ward grew up in a small house on Askew Avenue and attended Central High School where he was the school photographer. He was a boy scout for a short period before his troop disbanded. A congenital heart condition limited his athletic activities, and prevented him from enlisting for service in the Korean War, with his best friend. After graduating high school he worked in the jewelry business with his father at “Benson and Son’s Jewelry” located at 12th and Walnut in downtown KC.

On April 1st, 1951 Ward met Leora Lee at the Pla-Mor entertainment complex at 31st and Main St. in Kansas City. Ward was ice skating and noticed Leora practicing her pirouette in the corner. He immediately skated to her and asked her to pair skate. They were inseparable for the next 6 months and on her birthday October 3rd, 1951 he proposed marriage, and she said yes! On November 17th, 1951 they were married at the Community Christian Church on the Country Club Plaza, and then lived in a small apartment at 47th and Cleveland Ave.

Ward became interested in the theatre production business, as a stagehand, and worked at the Lyric, Little and Starlight theatres. He transitioned to TV production and worked for KCMO TV5 for 35 years, under the “big tower”.

In 1953, Ward and Leora built a home in south Kansas City, and began their family. On June 12th, 1954 they had their first child Gail Marie Benson, and on September 11th, 1956 they had a son Russell Lee Benson. Ward was an “honorary warrior” in the Tribe of Mic-o-Say” and enjoyed scouting with his son, and summer scout camp at Osceola MO. The family belonged to Ridgeview Christian Church where Ward was a Deacon and board member. He enjoyed church activities and summer vacations at Table Rock Lake, where family boating and his powder blue Sea-Ray boat were his pride and joy. After he retired in 1992 he and Leora travelled and enjoyed multiple adventures throughout the country.

Ward is survived by his wife Leora, daughter Gail Benson, son Russell Benson, daughter-in-law Mary Ann Campbell, and grandchildren Lee Benson-Smith, Jason Benson, Jonathan Benson, Matthew Benson, and Megan Benson.

Services will be Sunday, June 26th, at Mount Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Chapel at 10507 Holmes Rd, Kansas City Mo. 64131 with visitation at 1 pm, funeral service at 2 pm and burial to follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery. The family requests donations, in lieu of flowers, to St. Luke’s Hospice, 3100 Broadway, Suite 1000, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 and/or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.