Surname Index
Updated: 07 Apr 2013

Daily Oklahoman, The 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 
June 23, 2009

Frances Ann Benham passed away peacefully at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma, on June 21, 2009. Fran is survived by her son, Paul Alexander, and his wife, Janet, and their two daughters, Katharine and Jane; her daughter, Susan Murrell, and Susan's two sons, Val and Richard; her daughter, Mary Ellen Alexander, and her husband, Kent Cheshire; and her son, Bob Alexander, and his wife, Brenda, and their two sons, Joshua and Christopher and daughter Hanna; and her brother, Lawrence Dunlap. Fran was born on November 8, 1923 in Cornish, Oklahoma, and grew up in Ardmore. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1952, she returned to OU as Head Dietitian for the OU Student Union and later earned an M.A. in Nutrition from Central State University in Edmond.

While at OU, she met and married Robert D. Alexander and, shortly thereafter, moved to Oklahoma City, where she lived most of her life and raised her family. After Bob passed away in 1980, she re-married to Grayson Ray, with whom she enjoyed five wonderful years until he passed away in 1988. Thereafter she married John Benham, to whom she remained married until he passed away in 2006.

Fran had countless interests and activities throughout her life. She joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1954, which was a source of strength and faith to her throughout her life. She enjoyed book clubs, traveled to far away places, painting, dancing and sharing time and experiences with her many wonderful friends in Oklahoma City. She lived a full life, driven by a strong and loving spirit. She seemed never to rest. Above all, she focused her nearly inexhaustible love and energy on her four children and their families. To them, she was a constant and encouraging force. Her love for them was as strong and warming as the sun. It seems impossible that she is no longer with us. She will be loved and missed forever.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Committal services follow at Fairlawn Cemetery.

Daily Oklahoman, The 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 
August 7, 2006

John Fitzhugh Benham passed away in Oklahoma City on August 4, 2006 of natural causes. The youngest child of Webster L. and Margaret L. Benham , John was born on August 16, 1921 in Kansas City, MO. He grew up in Kansas City before his family moved to Oklahoma City where John graduated from Classen High School. Following high school, he attended junior college at Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri, graduating in June of 1942 with an Associate of Arts degree. He then attended the University of Oklahoma for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in July 1943. As a Marine, John served during World War II in the Pacific Theater, participating in the Battle for Okinawa as well as other Pacific campaigns. His tour of duty included service in China following the end of WWII. Corporal Benham received an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in May 1946, and in September of that year he reentered the University of Oklahoma where he was a proud member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. John graduated from OU in May of 1947 with a degree in Business Management. Upon graduation, John began a career in marketing and sales that included employment with the Crane Company in Enid and Oklahoma City.

In 1956, John joined his brother David Blair Benham who headed Benham Engineering Company, a firm founded by their father, Webster L. Benham , in 1909. John worked faithfully alongside his brother David in growing Benham Engineering Company and later The Benham Group into national prominence. Focusing upon client relations and business development, John became President of The Benham Group. At the time of his retirement from the company in December of 1990, John was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the parent company, The Benham Companies, Inc.

John was a Deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church and a past member of the Church's Board. Very active in civic affairs and professional organizations, he was a member of the Downtown Optimist Club, a member of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma City All Sports Association, a member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. A life member of the Society of American Military Engineers, John was Treasurer Emeritus of the SAME Oklahoma City Post. Anyone fortunate enough to have known or worked with John appreciates deeply his service to our country during World War II and his unwavering patriotism. John was honorable in thought and action and he lived a life of integrity. He was a gentleman always and possessed the finest sense of personal decency. He was a beloved son and was a role model for his sister and brothers, with whom he shared the closest of family bonds. He warmed every room he entered with his kindness and honest delivery, and his sense of humor was keen. John never sought the spotlight, personally or professionally. He was a man of few words, but they were all important words to those who loved him and worked beside him. John was a lover of animals and exuded a calmness they understood and no doubt appreciated. He was a passionate and enthusiastic Oklahoma Sooner and an avid sports fan.

Most importantly to the family he leaves behind, John was a faithful husband and a loving uncle who always believed in his nieces and nephews and was a second father to all of them. He will be greatly missed. John was preceded in death by his parents Webster L. Benham and Margaret L. Benham , his sister Margaret Katherine Benham Austin, his brothers Webster Lance Benham , Jr. and David Blair Benham and his first wife, Helen Benham. He is survived by his wife, Frances Benham of Oklahoma City, 2 nephews and 6 nieces. The family suggests contributions be sent to Habitat for Humanity or The Salvation Army. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 10:00 AM at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Sources:  good faith fair use of sources stated above

Compiled, transcribed and submitted by Marti Graham, Oklahoma County, OKGenWeb Coordinator, April 2013. Information posted for educational purposes for viewers and researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

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