Jack was born in Conneaut, Ohio on November 7, 1933, which was also his father’s birthday.  Parents Julius M. “JM” Benson and Florence Evans Benson provided a love of music, a respect for education and a strong sense of honor, love and family to their children.   Jack was the youngest of six children (Robert, Al, Noel, Phyliss, Frank and Jack).

Jack’s ancestors arrived in America in 1620 and after slowly venturing west, settled around Conneaut, Ohio in 1835.  Many generations of the Benson family lived on the farm, but the life of a dairy farmer was not for Jack.  He had other plans.