On Friday, August 11, 2023, Ben Davis exhaled his last breath on the 14th floor of St. John Medical Center's J.A. Chapman Tower in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Though death has made its claim on his body, it has been defeated by a spirit whose endurance is testament to the power of a loving God, the principles of faith, hope and love – as they were lived – and in many cases, bailing wire.
Ben was born December 11, 1941 in McAlester's Albert Pike Hospital to Lauranel and Fletcher Davis. Along with three siblings – Janie, Matt and Bob – it was a hard-scrabble but purposeful life for Ben – a forging of character taking place as Fletcher, an itinerant school teacher and farmer, sought to raise a family in a time before modern safeguards. Ben could recall dirt floors, his first experiences of indoor plumbing, the beginning of his summers in the hayfield at the age of ten, and building his first car, a Model A Ford, his freshman year of high school.
From an early age, Ben displayed an aptitude for all things mechanical. Despite significant learning handicaps, he went on to earn a Bachelor's in Industrial Arts Education (and later a Master's) which led to an outstanding career teaching the trades. From his first job in Tulsa as an instructor in a machine shop "that had no electricity," to his 18-year tenure as Principal of Pioneer Vo-Tech in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Ben paid tribute to an origin where so much depended on what could be done with a wrench in a hayfield.
After "retiring" in Ponca City, Ben returned to Latimer County to care for his parents, as well as working two more careers as a Shelter Insurance representative and a financial adviser for American Express in Wilburton, Oklahoma.
Along with his wife, Marcia Davis, he settled down on "D Farm" in 1998, a settling down which included projects in the shop, sawmill work, chickens, cooking sorghum, draft horses, hay bailing innovations, tractors, gardens, welding, cattle, fishing, hunting, woodworking, barn building, and far too much more to list.
Ben was a member of Wilburton First United Methodist Church, and spent his life involved in community service. Though he served in roles for countless boards, committees, clubs and organizations, he never lost the willingness to see and meet the need of the individual person. As a person who understood the many forms disadvantage can take, and the incredible struggle it can be to overcome it, he was always ready to help someone in need.
His roles were many, but those as a Father, a Husband, and a family man will never be forgotten.
Though his work here is done – as far as can be seen – his legacy remains: one of strength, service, courage – and his greatest work – what will be there for the ones he's left behind – love.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher and Lauranel Davis; and siblings, Jane Davis, Matt Davis and Bob Davis.
Ben is survived by his loving wife, Marcia Davis; Children: Alaina Dingus, Mark Davis and wife, Lana; Benjamin Davis, Ashley Diedrich and husband, Loren; Shayla Teague and husband, Jeremy; Grandchildren: Danielle Bresette and husband, Matthew; Justin Davis and wife, Kassy; Eric Anderson and wife, Mandy; Sarah Dingus; Addie, Jessalyn, and Logan Diedrich; Nevaeh and Axle Teague; Great grandchildren: Karli and Levi Davis; Sister-in-Law: Kathy Davis; nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Ben was born December 11, 1941 in McAlester's Albert Pike Hospital to Lauranel and Fletcher Davis. Along with three siblings – Janie, Matt and Bob – it was a hard-scrabble but purposeful life for Ben – a forging of character taking place as Fletcher, an itinerant school teacher and farmer, sought to raise a family in a time before modern safeguards. Ben could recall dirt floors, his first experiences of indoor plumbing, the beginning of his summers in the hayfield at the age of ten, and building his first car, a Model A Ford, his freshman year of high school.
From an early age, Ben displayed an aptitude for all things mechanical. Despite significant learning handicaps, he went on to earn a Bachelor's in Industrial Arts Education (and later a Master's) which led to an outstanding career teaching the trades. From his first job in Tulsa as an instructor in a machine shop "that had no electricity," to his 18-year tenure as Principal of Pioneer Vo-Tech in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Ben paid tribute to an origin where so much depended on what could be done with a wrench in a hayfield.
After "retiring" in Ponca City, Ben returned to Latimer County to care for his parents, as well as working two more careers as a Shelter Insurance representative and a financial adviser for American Express in Wilburton, Oklahoma.
Along with his wife, Marcia Davis, he settled down on "D Farm" in 1998, a settling down which included projects in the shop, sawmill work, chickens, cooking sorghum, draft horses, hay bailing innovations, tractors, gardens, welding, cattle, fishing, hunting, woodworking, barn building, and far too much more to list.
Ben was a member of Wilburton First United Methodist Church, and spent his life involved in community service. Though he served in roles for countless boards, committees, clubs and organizations, he never lost the willingness to see and meet the need of the individual person. As a person who understood the many forms disadvantage can take, and the incredible struggle it can be to overcome it, he was always ready to help someone in need.
His roles were many, but those as a Father, a Husband, and a family man will never be forgotten.
Though his work here is done – as far as can be seen – his legacy remains: one of strength, service, courage – and his greatest work – what will be there for the ones he's left behind – love.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher and Lauranel Davis; and siblings, Jane Davis, Matt Davis and Bob Davis.
Ben is survived by his loving wife, Marcia Davis; Children: Alaina Dingus, Mark Davis and wife, Lana; Benjamin Davis, Ashley Diedrich and husband, Loren; Shayla Teague and husband, Jeremy; Grandchildren: Danielle Bresette and husband, Matthew; Justin Davis and wife, Kassy; Eric Anderson and wife, Mandy; Sarah Dingus; Addie, Jessalyn, and Logan Diedrich; Nevaeh and Axle Teague; Great grandchildren: Karli and Levi Davis; Sister-in-Law: Kathy Davis; nieces, nephews, family and friends.
On Friday, August 11, 2023, Ben Davis exhaled his last breath on the 14th floor of St. John Medical Center's J.A. Chapman Tower in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Though death has made its claim on his body, it has been defeated by a spirit whose endurance is testament to the power of a loving God, the principles of faith, hope and love – as they were lived – and in many cases, bailing wire.
Ben was born December 11, 1941 in McAlester's Albert Pike Hospital to Lauranel and Fletcher Davis. Along with three siblings – Janie, Matt and Bob – it was a hard-scrabble but purposeful life for Ben – a forging of character taking place as Fletcher, an itinerant school teacher and farmer, sought to raise a family in a time before modern safeguards. Ben could recall dirt floors, his first experiences of indoor plumbing, the beginning of his summers in the hayfield at the age of ten, and building his first car, a Model A Ford, his freshman year of high school.
From an early age, Ben displayed an aptitude for all things mechanical. Despite significant learning handicaps, he went on to earn a Bachelor's in Industrial Arts Education (and later a Master's) which led to an outstanding career teaching the trades. From his first job in Tulsa as an instructor in a machine shop "that had no electricity," to his 18-year tenure as Principal of Pioneer Vo-Tech in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Ben paid tribute to an origin where so much depended on what could be done with a wrench in a hayfield.
After "retiring" in Ponca City, Ben returned to Latimer County to care for his parents, as well as working two more careers as a Shelter Insurance representative and a financial adviser for American Express in Wilburton, Oklahoma.
Along with his wife, Marcia Davis, he settled down on "D Farm" in 1998, a settling down which included projects in the shop, sawmill work, chickens, cooking sorghum, draft horses, hay bailing innovations, tractors, gardens, welding, cattle, fishing, hunting, woodworking, barn building, and far too much more to list.
Ben was a member of Wilburton First United Methodist Church, and spent his life involved in community service. Though he served in roles for countless boards, committees, clubs and organizations, he never lost the willingness to see and meet the need of the individual person. As a person who understood the many forms disadvantage can take, and the incredible struggle it can be to overcome it, he was always ready to help someone in need.
His roles were many, but those as a Father, a Husband, and a family man will never be forgotten.
Though his work here is done – as far as can be seen – his legacy remains: one of strength, service, courage – and his greatest work – what will be there for the ones he's left behind – love.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher and Lauranel Davis; and siblings, Jane Davis, Matt Davis and Bob Davis.
Ben is survived by his loving wife, Marcia Davis; Children: Alaina Dingus, Mark Davis and wife, Lana; Benjamin Davis, Ashley Diedrich and husband, Loren; Shayla Teague and husband, Jeremy; Grandchildren: Danielle Bresette and husband, Matthew; Justin Davis and wife, Kassy; Eric Anderson and wife, Mandy; Sarah Dingus; Addie, Jessalyn, and Logan Diedrich; Nevaeh and Axle Teague; Great grandchildren: Karli and Levi Davis; Sister-in-Law: Kathy Davis; nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Ben was born December 11, 1941 in McAlester's Albert Pike Hospital to Lauranel and Fletcher Davis. Along with three siblings – Janie, Matt and Bob – it was a hard-scrabble but purposeful life for Ben – a forging of character taking place as Fletcher, an itinerant school teacher and farmer, sought to raise a family in a time before modern safeguards. Ben could recall dirt floors, his first experiences of indoor plumbing, the beginning of his summers in the hayfield at the age of ten, and building his first car, a Model A Ford, his freshman year of high school.
From an early age, Ben displayed an aptitude for all things mechanical. Despite significant learning handicaps, he went on to earn a Bachelor's in Industrial Arts Education (and later a Master's) which led to an outstanding career teaching the trades. From his first job in Tulsa as an instructor in a machine shop "that had no electricity," to his 18-year tenure as Principal of Pioneer Vo-Tech in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Ben paid tribute to an origin where so much depended on what could be done with a wrench in a hayfield.
After "retiring" in Ponca City, Ben returned to Latimer County to care for his parents, as well as working two more careers as a Shelter Insurance representative and a financial adviser for American Express in Wilburton, Oklahoma.
Along with his wife, Marcia Davis, he settled down on "D Farm" in 1998, a settling down which included projects in the shop, sawmill work, chickens, cooking sorghum, draft horses, hay bailing innovations, tractors, gardens, welding, cattle, fishing, hunting, woodworking, barn building, and far too much more to list.
Ben was a member of Wilburton First United Methodist Church, and spent his life involved in community service. Though he served in roles for countless boards, committees, clubs and organizations, he never lost the willingness to see and meet the need of the individual person. As a person who understood the many forms disadvantage can take, and the incredible struggle it can be to overcome it, he was always ready to help someone in need.
His roles were many, but those as a Father, a Husband, and a family man will never be forgotten.
Though his work here is done – as far as can be seen – his legacy remains: one of strength, service, courage – and his greatest work – what will be there for the ones he's left behind – love.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher and Lauranel Davis; and siblings, Jane Davis, Matt Davis and Bob Davis.
Ben is survived by his loving wife, Marcia Davis; Children: Alaina Dingus, Mark Davis and wife, Lana; Benjamin Davis, Ashley Diedrich and husband, Loren; Shayla Teague and husband, Jeremy; Grandchildren: Danielle Bresette and husband, Matthew; Justin Davis and wife, Kassy; Eric Anderson and wife, Mandy; Sarah Dingus; Addie, Jessalyn, and Logan Diedrich; Nevaeh and Axle Teague; Great grandchildren: Karli and Levi Davis; Sister-in-Law: Kathy Davis; nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
