Thomas Cobb Benning

THOMAS C. BENNING Clemson

Thomas Cobb Benning, 83, died Friday, October 20, 2006, at AmMed Memorial Hospital in Anderson. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he graduated from Boys High, and later from Georgia Institute of Technology. Tom was a combat veteran of the 97th Infantry Division, where he served as a Captain in World War II in Europe and Japan. After the war, Tom went to work in Lowland, Tennessee, at American Enka as a chemical engineer, managing the rayon staple plant. While in Tennessee, Tom was an active member of First Baptist Church of Morristown, serving as chairman of the deacons, and as a Sunday school teacher. Tom also served as chairman and member of the Private Industry Council, District 2, as well as many other civic organizations.
In 1969, Tom and his family moved to Clemson to be Operations Manager of the new site of American Enka in Central, South Carolina. During his many years in Clemson, Tom served as President of the Rotary Club, on the South Carolina State Board of Education, and as a member of the Clemson University Engineering Industrial Advisory Board. He was finance chairman and a deacon of Clemson First Baptist Church and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. He served his community in many other organizations. Tom moved back to Lowland, Tennessee, in 1977, to serve as Manager of Tennessee Operations for American Enka. After retiring from BASF, Tom and Harriet returned to Clemson and their many, dear friends. They became avid Clemson University fans, attending as many football and basketball games as they could.

Tom is survived by his wife of 62 years, Harriet Floyd Benning; his 2 sons, Dr. Richard Benning, and wife Donna, of Nashville, Tennessee; Michael Benning, and wife, Judy, of Tampa, Florida; his 2 daughters, Gail Carpenter and husband James, of Pfafftown, North Carolina; Leslie Benning, and husband Dr. Rafael Bejarano of New York, New York; grandchildren: Tom Benning, Robert Benning, of Nashville, Tennessee; Elizabeth Glynn and husband Prescott, of Alvaton, Kentucky; Christian Carpenter and wife, Fran, of Monroe, Washington; Auburn Carpenter of Corpus Christi, Texas; Clay Benning and wife, English, of Atlanta, Georgia, Meredith Benning, of Nashville, Tennessee, Alexandra Bejarano, of New York, New York; 5 great grandchildren: Hannah, Sarah, Gareth, and Larissa Glynn, William Carpenter; and many nieces and nephews. Tom is also survived by his brother Keith Benning and wife, Carolyn, of Augusta, Georgia, and his sister, Catherine Brandon, of Stephenville, Texas. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Benning.

A memorial service will be held at Clemson First Baptist Church on Sunday, October 22, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. Visitation with the family will follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the building fund of Clemson First Baptist Church, 397 College Avenue, Clemson, South Carolina 29631. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, which is assisting the family with arrangements.