Raymond Benham

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Raymond R. Benham, 87, of Lorena passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. The graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 24, at Oakwood Cemetery with Dr. Brian Pendleton officiating.

The fourth of seven children born to C.C. and Lydia Benham, Raymond entered the world on May 20, 1919. He spent his youth surrounded by the splendor of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. After graduating from Mulberry (Ark.) High School in 1938, he sensed the approaching war and joined the Army.

He was trained as a pilot but saw his first action in the Aleutians Islands during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was subsequently redeployed to Italy where he flew B-17s on many missions including the bombing of the oil fields in Polesti, Romania. On the 48th of his required 50 missions, Raymond and his crew were shot down over Germany. He was captured and held in a Prisoner of War camp until the war's end. His courageous efforts and personal sacrifices were recognized with a Purple Heart and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. His family takes great pride in his military service and considers him a true American hero.

After World War II, Raymond attended Oklahoma A&M University where he received a degree in Agriculture in 1947. He met fellow student Josephine Oakes and married her on Dec. 15, 1947. They raised their family of five children primarily in Levelland, Texas where Raymond worked as a farmer and for the Soil Conservation Agency.

Family meant everything to Raymond. He coached sporting events, saddled horses for parade appearances, attended dance recitals, taught driving lessons, and shared his love of flying. He watched with pride as four of his children attained post graduate degrees and his sons embraced his passion for flying. It was with the same amount of pride that he helped Jo care for their disabled daughter for 56 years.

Raymond was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his wife, his daughter Sharon Kaye Benham, two brothers and a grandson Andrew Landon Smith.

He is survived by his daughter Janice Lytle and husband Kent of San Antonio and her children Michelle, Chad and Jeremy of Lubbock; his three sons and families Dr. Dale Benham and wife Susan of Lincoln, Nebraska and their children Erin and Sara; Drs. Jerry and Melisa Benham of Lorena and their children Jason and Matthew; Dr. Charles Benham and wife Rhonda of San Angelo and their children Michael, Jessica and Kaitlan and his great grandson Spencer Hougland of Lubbock.

He is further survived by his siblings Gladys Weisman of Idalou, Glendon Benham of Laguna Vista, Pauline Eilers of Dallas, Truman Benham of Idalou, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center. They provided compassionate care and assistance to Raymond and his family.
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