Don Fullmer Benson, beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather passed away on January 15, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Don was born August 24, 1926 in Logan, Utah to Ira Knight and Rhoda Pearl Benson. When he was a young boy, he would walk to school with his brother, Laverl, through deep snow. Don's family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where Don grew up on 8th East and 3rd South. He loved to walk to the University of Utah to attend football games, and always had a love of football. When he had his own family, he would attend football games with his boys. When Don was a boy, the roads during the winter months in Salt Lake were icy enough for him to skate to Liberty Park, where he would ice skate on the frozen pond (which would freeze solid back in those days).
Don was a World War II Veteran, having served in the Army in the Pacific, earning the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Army Occupation Medal. After the war, Don was in the transportation industry, hauling semi-trailer trucks pulling triples and having a perfect driving record. After coming home from a long haul, he loved to go dancing with his beloved wife, Lola.
During his early years, Don loved to go fishing, camping, and hiking with his wife and children. Some of his favorite spots were Mirror Lake, Strawberry Lake, Yellowstone, Lava Hot Springs, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite. He loved to vacation in his trailer in later in his motor home. Don loved to vacation in California and loved the ocean. He loved to visit places such as San Diego, San Francisco (loving to visit Ghirardelli Square), Anaheim, Monterey, and Pismo Beach. He loved roller coasters, and loved places such as Disney Land and Knott's Berry Farms.
Don was a gifted musician, playing the guitar, accordion, and harmonica. Don had never taken music lessons, but played amazingly by ear. Even during his Alzheimer's he was able to play the harmonica and had a favorite song to play of "Shall We Gather at the River". Don was a terrific pool player loving especially the game of Snooker. He loved to play cards and games with his grandchildren. Don had a sense of humor, and loved to tease. He loved old comedians such as Red Skelton, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and Abbott and Costello.
Later in life when age prohibited Don from going to California and camping he loved to go to Park City and spend the day there with his beloved wife, Lola. He loved to go to dinner at the home of family. He always loved taking walks and visiting with people along the way, as well as cleaning up the sidewalks. Don was a great husband, father, and grandfather.
Don is survived by his wife Lola Burton Benson of Salt Lake City, Utah; his children David Benson (Tereasa/Trish) of Magna, Utah, Douglas Benson's surviving widow of Spokane, Washington (Brigitte), Patty Ann Benson of Kearns, Utah, and Cathy Larson (Mike) of Cedar Hills, Utah; ten grandchildren: Marnie, Dustin, Tina, Tracy, Chad, Jessica, Lindsay, Kylee, and Mitchell; great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Don is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Dyanna, son Douglas, grandson Michael, great-grandson Cody, brother Laverl, and sister June.
Funeral services are to be held Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) Sandy, Utah. Services are scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation prior beginning at 9:45 a.m.
