Jack Henry Benson

Jack Henry Benson was born July 14, 1949, in Seattle, Washington, the son of Henry and Irma Benson. He died peacefully at home on December 23, 2021, at the age of 72 after an 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

     When Jack was 13 years old, his family moved to SE Portland. Jack attended Washington High School. In 1968 he enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Enterprise 1968-1970. He was credited for saving the lives of 30 crewmen in a fiery explosion off Hawaii. His tour took him to Hawaii, Japan and Vietnam. Upon honorable discharge in 1970, he returned to Portland.

His career consisted of the service station business, towing and auto transport. He worked for Chuck Allen for a year. They had the opportunity to lease a Texaco station from Allen McDougal. Chuck brought the inventory and they continued to run the station. A Triple A franchise was presented to Jack. With a very minimal amount of money, he started A&B Towing (named after his mentor Chuck Allen). After departing the towing business in 2006, he purchased Young’s Transport, acquiring three junk trucks in the purchase. The company has since grown to 15 trucks and much well deserved credit goes to his “rock” Sandy Glaeser for managing the business for many years.

     He was involved in the Oregon Tow Truck Association and Toastmasters in Milwaukee.

     While he was away from work, which was very infrequent, he enjoyed fishing, golfing and working out. He was not one who really enjoyed vacationing, always worrying about the business. To quote Jack, “work ethic is vital to me.”

     When going through newspaper articles and letters of correspondence between his mother and her friend, his mother states, “Jack is a fast moving boy.  Whatever he does, he does in a hurry.”  He always loved people. He could never do enough to help them.  One of his teachers said he never stopped helping people and how proud she was of him. This carried on through his life. Rita recalls when they first met he would hand out $5 bills totaling $500 to the homeless on Burnside Street.

     Some condolences from his friends in the past few weeks are as follows:

 “Jack, it has been a long time since that first day I met you on the golf course at Langdon Farms and you asked me to join your foursome. From that day we have been best friends. Most people have no idea of the things you have done for other people. We had a lot of fun together even when we ordered fish for the whole world. I love you Jack and I am a happy man to have so many memories of you locked in my brain for the rest of my life.”  “So sad to hear this. A wonderful man.”  “That’s terrible! Such a solid guy. He always took time to smile and wave.”

 “The best,..RIP.”  “A great one so many memories.”  “ I remember how he always took care of everyone at the club.”  “So sorry for your loss.”  “Jack’s story will forever be remembered.  A bootstrap get up and answer the bell kind of man who showed me what can be done if you are willing.”

     Jack is survived by his life partner of 31 years, Rita Hedges; Daughter-in-law, Olivia; sister Karen (Steve); 3 brothers,  Don, Larry (Marissa), Roy (Lynnae); two grandchildren, many nieces and nephews; special individual, Trevor Reink (Megan) and children; Rita’s family and friends throughout the United States.

     Following Jack’s death, his son Eric died on December 30, 2021.

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