Community Mourns After Bridge Creek Tornado Victim Unexpectedly Passes Away

The town of Bridge Creek has weathered two killer tornadoes in the past 16 years, now the town is dealing with more loss. 

Les Benson, 49, was the father of four sons, past President of the Bridge Creek Little League Baseball Association, and a long-time community volunteer. Benson died of a heart attack three weeks ago, just hours after he helped paint the lines and numbers on the Bridge Creek Bobcats’s football field. 

Friends say Benson had been doing that every Wednesday during football season for more than a decade. Kent Sugg coached with Les Benson as part of Bridge Creek’s Little League.

“The outpouring of love has absolutely been amazing.  It’s almost a shame a person of his importance and magnitude doesn’t get to feel that until afterward,” said Sugg Thursday afternoon. 

Les Benson’s family’s home was one of many that were demolished by the latest Bridge Creek tornado last May 5.