Okemah, Oklahoma, native Paul Benson graduated from Okemah High School in 1946 and went on to pursue a bachelor's degree in geology at the University of Oklahoma. After college, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving his country during the Korean War.
For 27 years, Paul worked for Conoco Oil, spending his spare time enjoying wildlife, gardening and especially reading. After his retirement from Conoco, he returned to a quiet life in his hometown of Okemah.
Following his death in 2016, a gift in his estate established the Paul R. Benson Fund at the Oklahoma City Community Fund to support animal welfare and the Okemah Public Library.