Slide show featuring photos of my father, Allen T. Bennison. Here is his obituary as it appeared May 25, 2009 in the High Point Enterprise:
HIGH POINT - On Saturday, May 23, 2009, Mr. Allen T. Bennison departed this life to be with his Lord.
Born Nov. 10, 1928, in Flat Rock, N.C., he moved with his parents, Tennor Bennison and Martha Padgett Bennison, to High Point at the age of 8. He attended Allen Jay School, where his father was principal and his mother was a teacher, until his graduation in 1945.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on board the destroyers Bordelon and Brownson. He was on Admiral Byrd's last expedition to the South Pole, and loved to share his stories of adventures sailing around the world.
He still proudly carried his cards showing his achievements of being a "horned shellback, Royal Order of the High Jump, Order of the Ditch and the Red Nose."
After his navy service, he returned to Barnesville, N.C., where his parents had relocated to teach at Barnesville School. There he met his wife of 57 years, Ann Lee.
Shortly after their marriage on Sept. 2, 1951, he began working for the National Cash Register company as a service repairman. His career with NCR would span more than 30 years, and included serving as an instructor at the company's technical training schools in Dayton, Ohio, Memphis, Tenn., and Hartford, Conn.
He returned to Dayton in 1964 to begin working as a technical advisor and ended up in the Research and Development field, designing special features requested by customers. He retired from NCR in 1989.
He and Ann opened a successful sewing machine dealership in 1982. In 1992 they decided to sell the dealership and return "home" to High Point, N.C.
Mr. Bennison was an active member of Springfield Friends Meeting and a member of the Dora E. Richardson Sunday School class. He enjoyed working with his computer, collecting coins and keeping his mind sharp by doing Sudoku puzzles every day.
He was a master Mason, made at the Summer Avenue Lodge in Memphis, Tenn. He was also a member of the Antioch Shrine in Dayton, Ohio, and enjoyed helping his friends in the marching band unit by pulling the bass drum in parades.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, of the home; daughters Pat (Rodney) King of High Point and Carol (Rick) Goodman of Toledo, Ohio; grandchildren Brianna Goodman, Zach King and Dylan Goodman; many nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law and friends around the country. He will be sorely missed for his delightful sense of humor, gentle teasing, thoughtful advice and strong example.
A celebration of his life will be held at Springfield Friends Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ray Luther officiating. Entombment will follow at Floral Garden Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. at Cumby Family Funeral Service in Archdale.
The family would like to thank Dr. Zan Tyson, Dr. Ben Igwemezie, Dr. Roger Smith, Dr. Chip Duckett and the staff and nurses at the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic and the staff and nurses at Hospice Home at High Point for all the care and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Raise the Roof Fund at Springfield Friends Meeting, 555 E. Springfield Road, High Point, NC 27260
or
Hospice Home at High Point, 1803 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.
Online condolences may be made at www.cumbyfuneral.com. Arrangements by Cumby Family Funeral Service in Archdale.
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Thank you for posting the slide show; your father was a very dear and caring man. While my parents knew him well, my best memory was of a time when I visited his home shortly after having a minor car accident. To my surprise and delight, Al buffed out the dents in my car so my husband wouldn't be so upset when I drove home. The world needs many more folks like your dad.
akerstoni 11 months ago
RIP, Mr. Bennison. My fondest memory was when you let Carol and I go to our ten year reunion in the mustang. You put up with all of us giggly girl teenagers at sleep-overs at the house for 6 years.
My family sends their condolences.
vaerna6 2 years ago