Richard W. Benson
1943 – 2023
Richard W. Benson, 79, died on January 10, 2023. Rick was born in 1943 in Los Angeles, California. He lived the first 49 years in Southern California and the remainder of his life in Edmond, Oklahoma. He truly loved both places and many times talked about the people he loved from both locations.
Rick had been retired 10 years, but maintained many friends from his years in business and in partnership as owner of Golf USA. When he was at Golf USA, he traveled the world selling franchises, which lit a fire in him to see the world. The last 10 years of his life, he and his wife were on many vacations all over Europe. They traveled with family and/or friends to Italy, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Norway, Denmark, Russia (twice) and many other countries. Rick never lost his love of travel and always said he had one more big trip in him and was making plans to travel in Turkey.
All of this gave him a zest for life that was impossible not to share. But, when he was home, his life was full of many many hours on the Golf Course with his best golfing buddy of 30 years. He always felt he had a full, rewarding and interesting life.
Rick will be deeply missed by so many, but none more than his wife of 37 years Gwen Benson. He is survived by a grieving family, sons Christopher Benson, Derek White and Troy White. He had three grandchildren, Miranda Benson of Seattle, WA, Nicolas Restrepo and his wife Ariel of Yukon, OK, and EmiLee Watkins of Edmond, OK. He had three great grandchildren, Paxton Restrepo of Yukon, OK, Jaxon Collins of Edmond, OK and Adaley Williamson of Edmond, OK. He loved his extended family including his sister Barbara Ashwell and his nephew Jeff Pierce, Sister-in-law Sharon Morgan, Nephew Michael Morgan, Niece Michelle Mathias and husband Rex Mathias, Alex & Hayley Lyda Mathias, Eric & Betty Mathias. Rick is preceded in death by our daughter Kristina Lyn White and both of his parents.
Services will be held Monday, January 16th, 2023, at the Matthews Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 11:00am.