Benjamin Kent Beleele

SSgt. Benjamin Kent Beleele was born on May 18, 1970 at Lakenheath Air Force Base in England to Jessica Stowell and Lawrence Beleele. He grew up in Tulsa attending St. John's Episcopal Church, participating in Scouting, graduating from Edison High School. Ben trained as a Medical Tech, and worked at Hillcrest Hospital. But eventually he joined the U.S Army where he spent 20 years. He deployed overseas for 7 total years: to Iraq , Afghanistan, and Korea. He retired from the Army in 2019 and returned to Tulsa with his wife and children where they purchased his dream - a little acreage in a quiet neighborhood.

Ben was awarded a Purple Heart in 2005 , 7 Army commendation medals, 3 meritorious unit commendations, and a Valorous unit award. He held a 4th degree black belt in Martial Arts and enjoyed teaching a children's class.

An Army colleague stated "Ben was beloved by everyone he worked with at Fort Riley. He was a true renaissance man with all sorts of funny stories and anecdotes that could make anyone laugh."

Ben was quiet and gentle, loving and kind, with a well developed sense of humor, and a generous heart . He loathed injustice, domestically or internationally; was known to protect his friends, family, and Brothers and Sisters in Arms. He helped save the life of a critically wounded soldier while he himself was wounded. Like many soldiers he went off to war and the war followed him home. His June 2, 2020 death was connected to service related injuries. His funeral service for the immediate family was held at St. John's Episcopal Church with interment at Memorial Park Cemetery with Military honors. HIs headstone reads: "He loved his family and cherished his friends"

His loyal service to his country, kind heart and dedication to his family and friends will be remembered forever. Ben was preceded in death by his first wife, Sandra Thornton Beleele. He leaves behind his loving wife, Cyndi, two step children, Caleigh and C.J. Vidal, brother Christopher Beleele of Portland Oregon, step brother Greg Ziegler of Tucson, and his heart broken parents, Fred and Jessica Stowell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 41st and Atlanta Ave in Tulsa on Monday, June 28 at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to VFW Post 577 1109 E 6th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 or online: https://vfw577.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp