Thomas “Tom” Ray Benfield Sr., 89, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. He was born on June 2, 1936, in Iredell County to Ether Darr Benfield and Katherine Putnam Benfield.

Tom was a member of Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church in Statesville. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserves and volunteered for over 32 years with the West Iredell VFD. Tom was a retired cattle farmer, but he also worked for five years at West Iredell Water Company as a Field Manager and as an engineer at Southern Screw.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Peggy Darr Farrar.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Nantz Benfield; son, Thomas Ray Benfield Jr. (Sherry) of Statesville; daughters, Janice Rhyne (Bruce) of Maiden and Lori Benfield of Lincolnton; grandson, Thomas Benfield III; and granddaughters, Piper Rhyne (Jacob) and Paris Rhyne.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 23, from 12 until 1 p.m. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Bill Troutman officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to Iredell County Animal Services online at https://www.iredellcountync.gov/ or by mail to 430 Bristol Drive, Statesville, North Carolina 28677.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Benfield and his family.