Randall Eugene Benson, 62, passed away Friday, December 23 at Good Samaritan Hospital. Randy was born August 5, 1960 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to Larry and Eva (Atkinson) Benson. As an infant he moved to Fresno, California where he lived until 1968 when his family moved to Vincennes.
He attended Harrison Elementary School and was a 1979 graduate of Lincoln High School where he enjoyed being the manager for the football team all four years and served as Sports Editor of the Old Post Sentinel. He graduated from Vincennes University and Ball State University with degrees in journalism. While in college Randy was a staff member of the student newspaper serving as Managing Editor of the VU Trailblazer and Editor of the Ball State Daily News.
His love of sports influenced him to focus mostly on sports writing but held various other editorial positions through the years. He began his career as a part-time sports writer for the Vincennes Sun-Commercial. He joined the staff of the Muncie Star as a part-time writer during college and full-time writer upon graduation. He went on to become Sports Editor for the Muncie Star and worked at newspapers in Marietta, Ohio, Elimira, New York, Chicago, Illinois, Holland, Michigan, and Alexandria, Louisiana. He enjoyed making friends with many of the coaches he covered and was proud to have a story published in Sporting News, a national sports magazine.
Randy was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys. He was currently working on a book about Knox County sports. His other hobbies included reading and listening to music.
Randy was active in Boys Scouts earning the rank of Eagle in 1977. He was a member of Pineville United Methodist Church.
Randy married Karen Silvaney on October 9, 1993 in Elmira, New York and she survives. He is also survived by his daughter Tia Benson, Pineville, LA, son Mitchell Benson, Alexandria, LA, grandson, Roya Taylor his pride and joy, mother Eva Benson, mother-in-law Betty Silvaney, sisters Margie Case (Brad) and Lori Graham (Tom), niece Kayla Collins (Jason) and nephews Bryan Quarterman (Shelby), Torey Graham (Kristina), and Bryce Graham (Honey).
He was preceded in death by his father Larry L. Benson, father-in-law George Silvaney, and brother-in-law Tony Quarterman.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 31, from 11am-1pm at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 524 Broadway, Vincennes, with a memorial service to follow at 1 pm.
Randy was an advocate for foster children and served as a foster parent, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Stand Up Foundation, 2148 S. Robinson Road, Vincennes, IN 47591.
