John E. Benson

John Edward Benson, 71, of Overland Park, Kansas, former longtime Parsons educator and Superintendent of USD 503, passed away at 2:45 p.m., Monday, August 27, 2018 at the Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care facility in Kansas City, Missouri.

John was born on Dec. 1, 1946, in Chanute, KS. He was the eldest of four boys born to Albert and Mary Louise (Belcher) Benson. John grew up in Chanute and graduated from Chanute High School, where he was the team captain and starting center on the 1964 Chanute High School basketball team. Go Blue Comets! He later earned his Education Specialist degree from Pittsburg State University.

On June 4, 1968, John and Pat Cates were married in Overland Park, KS. Lifelong educators, the couple devoted their working years to the betterment of generations of Kansas students. John began his career as a teacher, but ultimately moved into school administration as a Principal and, later, Superintendent, for schools in the Parsons area. He was active in the Parsons community and especially enjoyed volunteering with the Kiwanis Club, for which he served a stint as President. John was strong in his faith as a longtime member of First Christian Church.

Most of all, John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend who always had a quick smile and kind words for everyone he met. He will be missed by all who loved him.

John is survived by his wife, Pat; and daughter, Christy Auvigne (Baigh) of Overland Park, KS; as well as brothers David (Donni), of Overland Park, KS; Wayne (Vicki), of Lone Tree, CO; and Ralph (Janice), of Garland, TX. John is also survived by two grandchildren, Couper and Carsyn, as well as nieces Jackie Morrow, and Neisha and Elizabeth Benson, and nephews Matthew, Scott and Charlie Benson.

The Benson family will host a visitation from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, in Parsons. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, at First Christian Church, in Parsons. Burial will follow at Memorial Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice House or "Jeanne's Place" via the Care Haven Foundation, 3848 W. 75 ^th St., Prairie Village, KS.