Daryl Wayne Benson

Man of God, Husband, Father, and Friend - Daryl Benson's love of life didn't come to an end with his death. Daryl passed away on Friday, June 18, 2021 at the age of 50 after a courageous battle with cancer.

A quote from his favorite movie "Godfather" was “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family, can never be a real man.” He was "that man;" one who loved to spend time with family and those he considered to be like family (his closest friends). He was born to Tommy Benson, Jr & Mary Powell-Benson in Greenville, MS on January 29, 1971. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Kimberly; their son, Drew; mother Mary; and his siblings Lori; Tommy, III; Zanette; Reginald; Toni; Kevin; and Jeremy; as well as a large extended family. Daryl was preceded in death by Father, Tommy; and Sister, Melanie.

After graduating high school, Daryl went to school at Kankakee Community College where he focused on business. Daryl was a very passionate man and some of his passions were: living a righteous and Christian life, helping others, Notre Dame, politics, history, sports, golfing, tacos, and fine cigars, which he shared with anyone he could. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Daryl, including his home, his family, friends, and even his dog Beauregard. He enjoyed traveling, the beach, finding new golf courses, and any place that had a pool. He had the uncanny ability to find happiness in his daily activities and his pleasant personality was contagious to everyone he met.

Daryl was on the board of a non-profit for many years, as well as did work with various ministries at church including building and planting churches, worked within the prisons, with the homeless, with those who have been abused or trafficked or just helping those in need. He counseled men, who were coming out of prison, helped many men learn to love women who have been abused in a healthy and restorative way, and served as a role model to many young people that he treated like his own children. He was always imparting wisdom, getting into "spirited" debates about politics and sports and OJ Simpson, and making people laugh through his boldness and when he challenged anyone with an attitude of "Who gonna check me, Boo?"" (inside joke). He was a skilled chess player, loved classical music, and going to the theater for plays, operas, and symphonies. When he could not go, he would host his own YouTube parties, and yes even at work! Music, and a wide variety of it, gave him life and energy. He always said he missed his calling to be a DJ!

If you knew Daryl, you know he did what he wanted when he wanted to, didn't want to be put into a mold, didn't like to be categorized, and wanted to do things his way! He didn't care about being "PC," didn't care about what other's thought of him, and that is what made him uniquely wonderful! His quirks, punch lines, humor, and realness were what made him special. Daryl lived by several mantras, but one inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Judge a man NOT by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character." Daryl never wanted to be known by his color, but rather by the way he lived his life and everything he did - like Frank Sinatra said, Daryl Wayne Benson did it "My WAY."