Ronald "Ron" L. Benson , 56, went to be with the Lord at 8:54 p.m. on July 10, 2024, from Parkview Randallia Hospital, Fort Wayne.

He was born on July 20, 1967, in Orlando, FL, a son of the late Donald L. and Nellie M. (Parker) Benson. As his father was a carpenter traveling for work, Ron's formative years were spent in Florida, New Mexico, Colorado, and, in 1976, Kansas, where he graduated from Hutchins Baptist High School in 1986. He continued his education at Grace Bible College in Omaha, NE, and completed his bachelor's degree in accounting at Chadron Institute of Technology in Nebraska.

Ron proudly served in the U.S. Navy.

Meeting Kimberly K. Knafel in 1988, a customer service representative for North American Van Lines, while he was driving for the company, the two were wed on April 2, 1994.  They made their home in Columbia City and, in 2004, welcomed their miracle baby, Mason.

A career-long professional truck driver, he drove for North American Van Lines, Scott's Grocery Store from 1998 to 2004, and as an independent mail trucker and Fort Wayne Newspaper bundle delivery for over twenty years.

Persevering through medical challenges, including bypass surgery and 14 strokes, Ron believed in God and attended The Chapel in Fort Wayne and was a former member of the Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne.  The light of his life was his family.  He was an avid Cowboys Football fan and kept a special spot in his heart for his dogs, Coco, Thunder, and Jacob.  He will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Kim; a son, Mason; sister, Sheila (John) Morton of Abilene, KS; three brothers, Mike (Jolene) Benson of Brandon, SD, Mark (Paula) Benson of Bella Vista, AK, and Jeff Benson of Salina, KS, and godson, Robert Freewalt.

He was preceded in death by stillborn twin infant children, Kayla Marie and Lucas Ryan Benson; and a brother, Gregory Benson.

The funeral service is at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Jul 16th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Visitation is from 4 p.m. until the service Tuesday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Mason Benson's College Fund.