Fred John Benson

Fred John Benson, 88, loving husband of Lyda Stamper Benson, of Watts Mill Road, Nicholasville, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington. Fred was born in Morris, Illinois, on June 10, 1937, to the late Fred E. Benson and Stella Lardi Benson. He was a retired professor from the University of Kentucky's Department of Agricultural Economics, where he served as Professor Emeritus. He was also a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Fred is survived by his wife, Lyda, three daughters, Karen (Jason) Hartmann, Anne Pairan, and Elizabeth Jones (Chip) Templeman, and a friend who was like a son, Pro Ramirez, eight grandchildren, Benson Hartmann, Olivia Hartmann, Jonathan Pairan, Abigail, Noelle, Nicholas Pairan, Jessica Garrison, Grace Templeman, and Addison Templeman. He was preceded in death by two sons, Michael Benson and Richard Jones, and a daughter, Linda Benson. Funeral services will be on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Betts & West Funeral Home, 404 N Main Street, Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356, with Rev. Anne Pairan officiating. The burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Jackson Chapel Cemetery, 3010 Spout Spring Road, Irvine, Kentucky, 40336. The bearers will be Bill Redd, Ted Grimes, Pro Ramirez, Chip Templeman, Andy Waford, and Wally Stamper. Paul Benson will serve as an Honorary Bearer. Visitation will be on Monday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the funeral Home. Betts & West is honored to serve the Benson family in their time of need. An online guestbook is available at www.BettsandWestFuneralHome.com.