Jack Benson
The dedication of Jack Benson Heritage Park will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. in East Brainerd.
Officials said, "Jack Benson loved children. He began his life of community leadership as a teacher and soon advanced to become the youngest school principal in the system. He was 25 years old. Ultimately he was promoted to the central office where he served for many years as a respected administrator with ever-increasing authority and responsibility. His career as an educator spanned more than two decades.
"Jack Benson loved families. After retiring from the Chattanooga schools, Jack continued to pursue his lifelong interest in finding ways to have a positive impact on the lives and futures of our area's young people. He was most interested in providing mentorship and guidance through a surrogate family type environment. Without taking so much as a brief hiatus from everyday work, Jack moved almost seamlessly to become the executive director of Chattanooga Big Brothers / Big Sisters. He went on to head that nonprofit organization for another 15 years.
"Jack Benson loved his community. After Big Brothers/Big Sisters, he retired a second time - but he was not yet finished with public service. He ran successfully for the Chattanooga City Council. There he served three terms - 12 years - working full days every day (even though it was supposed to be a part time job). In addition, he was appointed by fellow members of the council to be their joint representative on the Chattanooga Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission. So, like a good soldier, he faithfully attended those lengthy and exhausting monthly meetings representing the interests of the entire city - not just his own council district. Ever the conscientious school teacher, for all meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission or any other cities and assigned responsibility, Jack always tried to be punctual and perfect in attendance. Along the way, he also served two terms as chairman of the City Council.
"Jack Benson loved animals. During his time as a council member, he saw the city faced with unacceptable conditions due to overcrowding at what was then Chattanooga's only public animal shelter. Accordingly, he spearheaded an effort that led to development of a second shelter - a new, state-of-the-art facility that won national acclaim: The McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center.
"Jack Benson loved his country. Many people are surprised to learn that he was a Marine during the Korean Conflict. Always humble, he rarely mentioned the details of his military service, but whenever a band struck up the Marine Corps March, Jack would rise to his feet.
"Jack Benson loved this particular piece of East Brainerd property. He loved his country, his community and his city. He loved his family. In fact, he loved families in general. He loved animals and children and, in a very special way, he loved this park and worked tirelessly to incorporate within the design and development of this unique public space all the elements of the things he loved most. It was his goal to make certain that the park will continue as a legacy - a gift to the future of the city that will richly contribute to a higher quality of life for all the people (and their pets) that will have an opportunity to use it through all the ages yet to come.
"As anyone who served with him on the Chattanooga City Council will tell you, this park was more than just a piece of real estate, it was Jack's passion. So it is totally appropriate that we gather here Sunday to dedicate and declare that pursuant to an earlier resolution by the Chattanooga City Council this park shall officially be named and hereafter always known as: Jack Benson Heritage Park."