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Gerald “Jerry” Dean Benfield, age 91, of Forest City passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014.
Born February 11, 1923 in Alexander County, he was the son of the late Worth and Ollie White Benfield.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Jerry worked for 39 years with the Metropolitan Washington Transit Authority, formerly the DC Transit, he retired from the Subway System and had served on the original committee responsible for the start-up of the trains. He began his career at age 17, when he fudged his age to join the Army; he served with General Patton and noted that Patton’s reputation of “Blood and Guts” fit him well. The strict regimen of the Army prepared him well for what was ahead as he battled at least three scrimmages in the front lines of World War II from 1942 to 1945. Serving as a Gunner, his combat tank would be hit and blown up by enemy fire; shrapnel remained in his left arm to this day from the attack. Suffering military career ending wounds, he was given an honorable discharge and received a Purple Heart in 1945. A few years later, while serving as a limo driver for the Washington DC Transit, Jerry would have another special duty. In 1963, he drove the limo transporting the Kennedy kids to their fathers, JFK’s, funeral. He drove for John John, Caroline, their nurse, Mrs. Shaw, Mugzy, a Kennedy family friend and a Secret Service Agent.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, who he married May 15, 1959, Joan Rollins Benfield; son Gerald R. Benfield (Kathy) of Ft. Walton Beach, Fl.; daughter Deborah Gail McDermott and husband (Eugene) of Moravia, MD; brother Archie Benfield and wife Vivian of Downers Grove, IL; 3 grandchildren Yvonne Kessel & husband Ken, Sean Benfield & wife Sheri, & Heidi Manley & husband Thomas; 8 great-grandchildren & 2 great-great-granddaughters; sisters-in-law Cathy Benfield, Mary Nell Benfield, Iris Benfield and Diane Rollins; & numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at Harrelson Funeral Home Chapel with Reverends John Godfrey & Tom Brown officiating. Interment followed at Rutherford County Cemetery with military honors by Rutherford Co. Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043, or High Shoal Baptist Church, PO Box 386, Henrietta, NC 28076.
Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.
