Jack “Phil” Benson

1944 – 2023

Our loving husband, father, grandfather and brother Jack “Phil” Benson passed away on October 16th, 2023 in Provo, Utah surrounded by his family after a short, but hard-fought battle of newly diagnosed cancer.

Phil was born on May 11, 1944 in Price, UT to Jack Ernest and Melba Justesen Benson. He was the middle child of 5 total siblings, 2 older brothers and 2 younger sisters. He grew up in Sunnyside, Utah where he graduated from East Carbon High School in 1962. He attended the College of Eastern Utah following his graduation. He later went to the University of Utah where he broadened his education and worked at the Kennecott Copper Smelter simultaneously. Phil was drafted to the Vietnam War in 1967 when he was 23-years-old. He served in the US Army for 2 years where he earned an E5 ranking.

He moved to Grantsville, UT where he worked at the National Lead Magnesium Plant. In 1973 his first son, Justin Phil was born. He later relocated to Fairview, Utah where Phil resided and called “home” for the last 40+ years.

Phil, alongside his brother Brent, started the Fuel Brick Plant in Spring City, Utah where he interviewed and hired his future wife and love of his life. He married Ruth Black on November 21st, 1980 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They added a son Nathan and a daughter Lacey to their family and enjoyed nearly 43 years of marriage together.

Phil was the very last person to operate the old Fairview Roller Mill that was directly across from his home. While working at the mill, Phil started a side job as a US Postal Carrier for rural routes in Fairview which led to a career in Springville that he valued and retired from in 2006.

Phil was an avid sports fan. You could guarantee to find him watching some sort of NBA, NCAA, or NFL game. His favorite teams were the Utah Jazz and Utah Utes. His very particular daily schedule revolved around when a game was on TV. He enjoyed many outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and farming alongside his father-in-law and dear friend.

Phil was a lover of reading and a fountain of knowledge. His mind was brilliantly endless with intelligence. You could ask him any question and he knew the answer, no matter what it was. His day began with the Salt Lake Tribune. He read and analyzed each and every article. Phil was all things weather obsessed. He observed and studied the forecasts constantly and truly could have had a career in meteorology.

Phil took pride in his home with hard work and an immaculate presentation of his beautiful yard. Phil loved to chat and was a conversationalist. He made friends wherever he went, ranging from the post office to his local gas station.

Phil was very family-oriented. He was extremely proud to be a Benson and to have his children carry on his legacy. His grandchildren were his entire pride and joy. For the last 30 years much of his time was dedicated to watching them grow, traveling to numerous sports games and events, and the first person they would turn to for advice. Phil was the center and heart of his family’s world and his absence will forever be missed.

Phil is survived by his wife, Ruth Black Benson; his children Justin Phil (Marci) Benson, Nathan Ernest (Whitney) Benson, Lacey Ruth (Dustin) Edmunds; 7 dear grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sister Denise (Leonard) Kirk; sister-in-law Connie Benson, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Bryan Benson, Brent Benson, and Bonnie (Richard) Hansen.

At this time, we would like to thank the numerous family and friends who have shown an outpouring of love to our family during this difficult time.

Funeral services were held Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with a viewing from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. prior to the services at the Fairview LDS Church (Rock Church) Fairview Utah. Interment to follow at the Spring City Cemetery. Online condolences at rasmussenmortuary.com.