February 11, 1947 �" May 12, 2014
Thomas D. Benson passed away peacefully Monday May 12, 2014 after a short illness. He was 67.
Tom is preceded in death by his partner, Ken E. Yinger, who died in March 1992, and his parents, David Benson and Mary (Hughston). He is survived by his sister Mary Pupene of New Orleans.
He is also survived by many cousins and longtime friends.
Tom was born February 11, 1947 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He graduated from Vanderbilt University, and received a master's in English literature from Duke University.
Tom was discharged from the U.S. Navy as a conscientious objector in 1971, and after finishing school, settled in San Francisco in 1974.
Tom worked in trust banking for over 18 years, and another 22 years in private practice as a private fiduciary and conservator.
Tom loved to cook and feed people, and was an active volunteer at the Sonoma County Food Bank, St. Martin DePorres House, and his church, St. Gregory's of Nyssa, where he helped launch the food pantry.
He had been a longtime volunteer at Shanti.
Tom asked that his ashes be scattered where his partner Ken's ashes had been, to finally join him again.