Obituary of Cleborn Dalton Benge, 97
Cleborn Dalton Benge.
April 2, 1927 – Oct. 3, 2024
In the care of Chapel of the Roses & Chapel of the Roses Cemetery
– Cleborn Dalton Benge known affectionately by many as “Bengie” passed away Oct. 3, 2024, after a short illness.
He was born on April 2, 1927, in Oklahoma. After graduating High School in Coleman Oklahoma he joined the Army and served in Korea. He is survived by his wife Annabelle (October 20th would have been their 68th anniversary) and son Randall Lynn (Anne) granddaughters Olivia and Catherine, Dan Gates (son-in-law) grandsons Douglas and Darron (Miranda), and great-grandson Oliver. He was preceded in death by son Timothy Vaughn, daughter Rhonda Rochelle and sister Mildred.
He was a 61-year resident of Templeton. He worked as a truck driver in road construction and was a member of the Teamsters Union. In addition to building roads and freeways all over California, he was building friendships and community in the town he loved so much. Cleborn was a 49-year member of the Lions Club spending more than 15 years working the club’s Monday Night Bingo fundraiser selling pull tabs. Nearly 30 years ago, Cleborn, along with Bob Miller, started the annual 4th of July auction which was the foundation for funding the Lions Club charity programs.
He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post 220 serving as Chaplain. He was an avid supporter of Templeton High School athletics. He was a leading member of a parent driven project to install lights at the old football field that resulted in the school playing the first-ever night game in 1975. He coached both Little League and Babe Ruth League baseball in the 1970s. He was a member of the Church of Christ for 50 years. He served in the Templeton volunteer fire department in the 1970s and ’80s. An excellent mechanic and extremely handy he was always willing to help with a project especially if it was under the hood of a car. He seemed to never be able to sit down always thinking something needed to be done. Later in life, he loved walking the neighborhood with his beloved dachshund, Chloe, and talking with neighbors and friends. He was a great father, friend, and mentor and was much loved.
Burial is at the Templeton Cemetery on Friday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. and a memorial gathering will follow at the Legion Hall in Templeton at 1 p.m.
-From Dignity Memorial
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