Benny jumped the 1959-60 seasons at Cave Junction. He was a 1956 graduate of Grants Pass H.S. and married Shirley Dees in 1962. Benny was born June 1, 1941 and died in May 1981. Friends have said he died in an auto accident but that has not been confirmed. Benny was only 18 when he rookied and was an outstanding fast-pitch softball pitcher for the base softball team in the CJ city league. He suffered a broken ankle on a 1960 fire jump on the Lassen N.F. which ended his season and smokejumper career.