BENSON, Charles Eddie

Charles Eddie Benson, 79, died Dec. 18, 2006, at the Home Lake Care Center in Monte Vista. Mr. Benson was born Sept. 28, 1927, in Charleston, Ark., the first son of Victor F. and Annie Mae (Nix) Benson. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 and fought in World War II in the South Pacific. After the war, he was a professional wrestler in the 1960s. He moved to Salida in 1989 after retiring from teaching at Panola College in Carthage, Texas. In Salida, he was a well known and beloved Salida Santa for eight years from 1991 until 1998. Survivors are his wife, Yumiko Benson of Cañon City; sons, Steve Benson of Winnie, Texas, and Scott Benson of Taos, N.M.; brothers, Robert F. Benson of South Padre Island, Texas, and Jon Del Benson of Longview, Texas; sister, Betty Townson of Harleton, Texas; and two granddaughters. No services are planned at this time. Friends who desire may make memorial contributions to Holiday Park in Salida through Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home. Mountain Mail Salida, Colorado