Benson was the best friend you could ask for. He was everything bright, positive and nurturing, and always put the needs of others first. I’ll never forget the day I met him, because he’s one of the only people I’ve ever met who truly made you feel like you’d known him forever. Benson always had time to listen, to help out. He  understood what it meant to make everybody feel like a somebody.

Benson made all of us better just by knowing him. I’m thankful every day for his sweet smile, contagious laugh, sharp wit and easygoing, joyful spirit, and for every moment and laugh we shared. There was no one like Benson. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: to know Benson was to love him, and we’ll love you forever, buddy. 

I’ve known Benson for about 15 years.  I was his mentor in a church ministry from the time he was age 10 until he graduated from high school.  We would hang out a few times a month and do fun stuff like going to a Braves game, bowling, or eating at Zaxby’s or Chick-Fil-A.  Or maybe a service project / volunteer work like tutoring at an elementary school or sorting through books at the Books for Africa warehouse.  What I remember about Benson was that he always had such a pleasant demeanor about him.  He was so kind, caring, humble, patient, a really good listener and so willing to help in any way.  I can’t even count the number of times that he helped me out in some way with some sort of project somewhere. One thing that was so amazing about him was that I never saw him lose his temper….not one time.  He was so even keeled.  Even when he went off to college (and even post college), he still found the time to get together with me for dinner a couple of times a year.  We’d have conversations about the most light-hearted things or we could go really deep.  I had the privilege of going to dinner with him just a few weeks before his passing.  He had just returned from a cross-country trip that he took to see the countryside and to visit friends in a bunch of states.  That was the kind of stuff I would do when I was his age.  I thoroughly enjoyed that last conversation we had at Taco Mac.  It will be etched in my mind forever.  

When we first started hanging out, Benson and I had more of a mentor / protégé relationship.  But soon afterwards, Benson was simply a good friend and also like a son to me in many ways.  I’m so thankful I had the privilege to know him all of those years and I will miss him dearly.  In the picture shown (at my wedding), Benson was 12 years old.

Benson was a big part of our mentoring program as a young boy. He thrived in that program and that is why I am in shock about his death. He worked hard to take care of himself especially after his father's death.   I am deeply saddened by this news and praying for his family.  I remember how much he loved Chic Filet as a little guy.   I know that he was loved by many and that his memory will continue to live on in our hearts. 

Benson and I are cousins.  He was born when I was in my college season of life.  Benson was a gift to me because he was a delight to be around.  He was helpful, charming and had a great sense of humor.  I may have been much older, but I cherish the times when Benson, Alex and I would build Legos, have Nerf wars and even the times he would whack my face with a lightsaber too hard and laugh about it.  I am glad that we were in the same family.

Benson's death hurts deeply because I love him and will miss him more than my clumsy words can describe.  The hidden gift in this hard season is that it removes the distractions of climbing the corporate ladder, the next movie, etc.  It reminds me to not take my next breath for granted.  It reminds me to reprioritize my life.  It reminds me to cling to my relationship with Jesus Christ, my family and my friends.  

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."   John 3:16  (The Holy Bible, The Book of John , Chapter 3, Verse 16, English Standard Version)

I'm not sure what season of life you may be in or what challenges you may be facing.  Know that God loves you and He created you in His image.  You are valuable and your life is precious.  Ask Him to help you heal through this loss.  

God,  Thank you for blessing us with the gift of Benson for this short time.  Please come be near to us.  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."  Matthew 5:4  Amen!




While I don’t remember the day I met Benson, I do reminisce how close we were. He was the first friend I can remember making since elementary school. We were best friends, always hanging out. Either playing with Legos or playing video games (often going by Leroy). I remember the many sleepovers we had over the years. The many times, we spent at Keswick roaming around the woods. He had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever known. I remember Mrs. Ross cooking, I would avoid the sauerkraut but always go for the pasta. As the years have gone by and we had our separate lives we still kept in touch.  The moment’s we had together are something that I will cherish forever.  I will never forget the impact you had on my life.  I hope wherever you are you’re casting your rod to catch another fish. I hope we will meet again someday.  

I  hand the honor and pleasure of working with Benson at the Dunwoody Country Club , for two summers in a row around 2017-2018.  I didn't really know Benson on a deep level, but every time we worked together he always put a smile on my face. He was kind to everyone around him, and was happy to be there. He was a hard worker, and he made everyone around him feel like a friend. We would talk and have lighthearted conversations about fishing, his 4Runner, and life after college and the things he wanted to accomplish in the years after graduation. My heart goes out to Benson's family, friends and loved ones. 

Benson was the kind of friend who always made me feel like I was exactly the person he wanted to see. We went to high school and college together, and even though we didn’t talk often, he’d always give me the biggest smile and a hug whenever we ran into each other. He really knew how to make people feel special and valued. All my love to everyone who knew and loved Benson. 

I knew Benson from our time together at Skyland. We were in the same DBT core group together. The growth, courage, and love that Benson demonstrated gave me strength and hope throughout my time at Skyland.  There are so many memories that I have of Benson and the one that stands out the most is the day he received the Humanitarian Award at Skyland. He was always humble and understanding towards others which was something that I admired so much.  He will forever have a positive impact on my life. My condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones. Sending thoughts and prayers. 

I know Benson, or Nosneb, as we used to call him, from Huntley Hills Elementary. Benson was so sweet, always caring, and so full of laughter. He always had jokes to crack with Ben, and together they made school so much fun. I remember his mom’s car picking him up from school everyday with the stickers on the windows, and I thought it was so cool how she let them do that :) Benson was sometimes quiet like me, and I think that’s what drew me to him. He always stuck up for his friends, he was courageous, and just an absolute gem of a person. I will always have fond memories of him and Huntley Hills. He really did make such an impact on me. Even 10 years later, I can picture  him so vividly. I love you, Benson ❤️

I had the pleasure of being with Benson at Skyland in my core group. Benson is a kind soul who creates peaceful and calming feelings with his presence. I admire his love of botany and plants, for which he generously shared his wisdom and excitement.  His absence leave a hole and he will be missed greatly by all that knew him. My sincerest condolences for the family at this time. Benson's memory will be a blessing. 

In high school, Benson would take sophia and I out on a boat on Kingsley lake, no matter what time it was. If we asked, he was always willing.  I felt like that was his safe place. I will always remember the conversations between us on those days & nights out on the lake. They were filled with giggles, comfort, and of course Benson’s extensive knowledge about fishing. He was such a joy to be around. I feel so honored to have gotten to spend time with him when he was doing something he loved. Benson was so welcoming, and could really make anyone feel comfortable around him, even a transfer DHS student 2 years younger than him (me). 

I met benson when I was at Skyland. He quickly became a good friend. As we went through our treatment we grew even closer than we were. Whether it was the daily trip to tms or hanging out after groups and playing cod zombies we were very close. I remember our weekly trips to Piedmont park or to lunch after my graduation. Then when shilo came around it was time to take him to the dog park whenever we could. Whether it was a daily FaceTime call or him just texting me “you got this buddy” he got me through my day. He was one of my best friends and I will be missed every single day. I know he is watching over me from above. 

I didn’t know Benson for very long, but we met at Skyland and were in the same core group. His confidence, encouraging and friendly attitude, and warmth all together brought an absolute radiance into that room every single day. I met him when he was the community meeting leader, cracking a joke and a smile to open the meeting and wearing his signature ‘Be Happy’ hat every single day, and I looked up to him as a role model in recovery. My fondest memory is sitting next to Benson in core one day and listening to how he responded to questions and prompts, being taken aback by how honest and invested he was in the program, and by how calm he seemed. Everyone I had met before then talked about how “treatment is such a drag” and created negative energy, but listening to him share single-handedly revolutionized my treatment experience. Benson was my inspiration to take recovery more seriously. I am so incredibly thankful to have gotten to know such a wonderful, generous, kind-hearted, open-minded, gentle and confident soul. He was raised well and reflected love and light in every interaction he had. 

Benson was a friend, a coworker, a classmate, and a brother to me. I don't have a singular memory or story that stands out with Benson, but many small moments where his smile and enthusiasm brought joy in the day-to-day. Whether it was working upstairs at Centro, cramming for Poole's final, or planning the future of Kappa Sigma from the house dad's room, Benson was there with me. His friendship and love is irreplaceable. I will never forget the impact Benson had on my life, and I will always appreciate the moments we shared.

AEKDB

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Michael Benson Ross

21 octobre 1996 – 26 novembre 2021

H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel

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