Edwin Charles Benson

Edwin C. Benson Jr, 79, of Paola, KS passed away on June 24, 2016 at the Olathe Hospice House. Ed was born at home on the farm in Jingo, Kansas on December 19, 1936. Ed grew up on the farm in southeastern Miami County and through the years went back to help his dad. He graduated from LaCygne High School in 1952. He was drafted into the army at age 23. When he got out of the service he went to work for Simmons Gun Specialties in Olathe, KS and became a master gunsmith. He left Simmons and went to work for Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1974. Even though he had left Simmons he continued his gunsmithing as his own business until he was incapacitated by a stroke in September of 1995. (And even then he kept up on the business and was able to renew his license to his wife"s surprise.) Ed married Sandra Kay Cabiness on May 4, 1964 and they moved to Paola in 1965. He was an active member of Pearl Street Baptist Church. Ed enjoyed history and served a term as president of the Miami County Historical Society. He was scoutmaster for Troops 100 and 111 in Paola and stayed very involved with scouts for about 20 years. He enjoyed creating and making scout neckerchief slides out of gun parts- including two that are in the Baden-Powell Scout Museum in England. Ed supported and helped his wife Sandy when she decided to open Sandy"s Fabric Shop and later Sandy"s Bridal Shop. He was also a lifetime Mason. Ed is preceded in death by his parents Edwin C. and Annabelle Benson. He is survived by his wife Sandra K. Benson of the home and brother Larry Benson of Stanley, KS; his two children: son Randall E. Benson of Webb City, MO and daughter Debbie Benson Coleman of Olathe, KS; four grandchildren: Randall E. Benson Jr of Joplin, MO, Jonathan Benson of Wichita, KS, Chase Coleman of Shawnee, KS, and Hunter Coleman of Overland Park, KS; and two great granddaughters: Katy and Alyssa Benson of Joplin, MO. Memorials may be made to Troop 100 or the Olathe Hospice House. To share a memory of Edwin or to leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories tab.