Benny was born February 19, 1931, a big brother to three younger sisters. Benny grew up in Oklahoma in very small farmhouse without any amenities except for a one-hole outhouse with a “Monkey” Wards catalogue.
After serving more than two years in the Army during the Korean conflict, he worked in a steel mill, glass factory, paper mill, and in the hay and wheat fields.
He was President of his Senior Class in high school and made honorable mention on the oklahoma state Football Team. He went to Northeastern Junior Corege (Oklahoma) where he was student Body President (Sophomore Year); All Conference Football Player in his Sophomore year (the ream was ranked No. 1 Junior College in the United States), played in the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and received the Annual Outstanding Student / Athlete Award (Rigney Award). He moved on to Oklahoma University where he graduated with Honors and was named a Distinguished Military Student. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in 1957 and 1961 respectively and later received his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in 1968.
Benny, along with Hank Egbert, helped open Catalina High School in 1957. He taught math and coached football. Hank brought him to Sahuaro in 1968 as the Math Department Chairman where he helped to open Sahuaro as well. He was later named Assistant Principal and remained there until he was named Principal at Palo Verde High School in 1979.