1929
Farris
2012
Farris Layne Benham
December 7, 1929 — July 12, 2012
Visitation is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, July 15, 2012 at LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors, Coulter Road Chapel.
Services and burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday, July 16, 2012 at Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in Odessa.
Farris was born in Clarks-ville, Texas, December 7, 1929 to L.F. and Letsy Benham.
Mr. Benham left home at the age of 16 to be an oil field roustabout and at 19 he was a driller. He attended commercial business school and in 1953, Farris joined the Texas Prudential Insurance Company and became a District Manager. In 1963, Farris started Benham Natural Gas Services in Odessa. He moved his business to Amarillo, in 2000, and continued to work until 2010, when his failing health forced him to retire.
In 1968, Farris was raised a Master Mason in Odessa Lodge No. 955, A.F. & A.M. He served as Worshipful Master in 1971 – 1972, and was District Deputy Grand Master in 1981 – 1982. He served as Regional Coordinator in 1982 – 1985, and 1987. He was elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1989. In 1995, Farris served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas and was Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters in 2000. He served on the board of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, in Arlington, for 28 years and served as treasurer.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Troy Benham, a sister, Opheliah Potter.
Survivors include his wife, Betty of Amarillo, a daughter, Patty Needham and husband Jerry of Georgia. 3 son’s, Ronnie Acton and wife Deborah of El Paso, Bruce Benham and wife Linda , and Stanley Benham and wife Vicki of Odessa. A step-daughter, Joni Isaak, of Amarillo, a stepson, Lyndy Phillips and wife Angie of Bedford. A sister, Rhonda Williamson and husband Tim of Grandbury, and a brother, Don Benham of Odessa. 6 grandchildren and 8 great- grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be sent to the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, 1501 West Division, Arlington Tx 76012.
Services and burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday, July 16, 2012 at Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in Odessa.
Farris was born in Clarks-ville, Texas, December 7, 1929 to L.F. and Letsy Benham.
Mr. Benham left home at the age of 16 to be an oil field roustabout and at 19 he was a driller. He attended commercial business school and in 1953, Farris joined the Texas Prudential Insurance Company and became a District Manager. In 1963, Farris started Benham Natural Gas Services in Odessa. He moved his business to Amarillo, in 2000, and continued to work until 2010, when his failing health forced him to retire.
In 1968, Farris was raised a Master Mason in Odessa Lodge No. 955, A.F. & A.M. He served as Worshipful Master in 1971 – 1972, and was District Deputy Grand Master in 1981 – 1982. He served as Regional Coordinator in 1982 – 1985, and 1987. He was elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1989. In 1995, Farris served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas and was Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters in 2000. He served on the board of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, in Arlington, for 28 years and served as treasurer.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Troy Benham, a sister, Opheliah Potter.
Survivors include his wife, Betty of Amarillo, a daughter, Patty Needham and husband Jerry of Georgia. 3 son’s, Ronnie Acton and wife Deborah of El Paso, Bruce Benham and wife Linda , and Stanley Benham and wife Vicki of Odessa. A step-daughter, Joni Isaak, of Amarillo, a stepson, Lyndy Phillips and wife Angie of Bedford. A sister, Rhonda Williamson and husband Tim of Grandbury, and a brother, Don Benham of Odessa. 6 grandchildren and 8 great- grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be sent to the Texas Masonic Retirement Center, 1501 West Division, Arlington Tx 76012.
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