Lester Benson, 89; Led Business, Hotel Groups

Lester Benson, a leader of the Southern California Business Assn. and the Los Angeles County Hotel/Motel Group for more than two decades, has died. He was 89.

Benson died May 11 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The cause of death was not announced.

As the leader of the hotel/motel group, Benson worked to solve problems for the industry in Los Angeles city and county regulations and to promote tourism and conventions in the county, said those who knew him.

Benson, who was born in Los Angeles, graduated from Hollywood High School and L.A. City College and started a newspaper career at the now-defunct Hollywood Citizen-News and Advertiser Publications in the display advertising department.

During World War II, he served in the Army Signal Corps in the Pacific. He returned to Los Angeles after the war and continued his career at the Citizen-News, eventually becoming vice president and associate publisher. After the newspaper folded, he worked as a consultant for the Copley newspaper chain and helped launch the Pasadena Union. From there he joined what is now the Southern California Business Assn. He retired in December 2002.

Active in civic affairs, Benson served as chairman of Hollywood’s Santa Claus Lane Parade from 1962 to 1970 and was a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Assn.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, and a brother, Ed. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. today at Forest Lawn Glendale. Instead of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the American Red Cross of Los Angeles, Queens Care Family Clinics, or the Hollywood or Los Angeles Rotary clubs.