Lee O Bench Jr.

Lee O. Bench Jr., 81, of Temple, Texas passed away Monday, February 20, 2012 in his home, surrounded by family. He was born in Okmulgee, OK. December 17, 1930. Married November 1, 1948, Lee remained married to his high-school sweetheart, Helen Ruth Casey for over 63 years. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Ruth (Casey) Bench; sister, Martha; brothers, Mervin and Kenneth; daughter, Brenda Ruth (Honeycutt) Bench and husband Bill; sons Stephen Lee and wife, Linda; Christopher Dean and wife Bonnie; Paul Anthony and wife Jessica. Lee O. and Helen were blessed with nine grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and three great, great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee O. Bench, Sr. and Nora Ollie (Collins) Bench, his brother Marvin, and sisters Neva and Mildred. Lee attended Cherokee Junior High School in Turley, OK. and is a graduate of Tulsa Central High School. Then, Lee retired for the first time in June of 1975, after serving twenty-seven years in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. He joined the Navy in December of 1947, serving as a Pharmacist Mate; however, twice during times of war (Korea and Vietnam), Lee wore a Marine uniform, bravely serving on the front lines as a corpsman (medic). He earned numerous honors, medals, and ribbons over the course of his highly decorated military career, including three Letters of Commendation and six Letters of Appreciation. Navy unit commendations with Star 2nd Award, Combat 1st Marine Division --Korea; Combat Action Ribbon with Marine FMF insignia, action 1953 with Marine Rifle Company --Korea; Navy Good Conduct Medal with 1 Silver Star and 2 Bronze Stars for 7th award; National Defense Service Medal with Star 2nd Award; Korean Service Medal with 3 stars and Marine FMF insignia; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Cuba 1962 Surgical Team #17, 2nd Marine Division, on LST 1174; Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars and Marine FMF insignia; Korea Presidential Unit Citation (PUC); Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation (PUC); Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation; Vietnam Civic Action Honor Medal Unit Citation First Class; United Nations Service Medal (Korea); Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device; and the Korean War Service Medal. After his years in the military, Lee worked another 20 years at Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas, retiring in February of 1996 as Supervisor of the Phlebotomy Section of the Clinical Pathology Department. As a member of the Choctaw Nation, Lee was proud of his Indian lineage and honorably shared that heritage with his children and grandchildren. Far and above any of these honors and accolades, Lee treasured most his relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a man of faith, a man who credited God alone for his safe return from dangerous times in foreign wars, and a man who desired above all else that his children and his children’s children would know and walk with the Lord. He had a heart of generosity and a devotion to God’s church. Lee served in a multitude of leadership positions, first at Western Hills Baptist Church in Temple, and later, after moving to Moody, Texas at Liberty Hills Baptist Church, where he remained a member until he went Home. Lee was an ordained Deacon (October 18, 1987) and served in such roles as church treasurer, Youth Director, trustee, teacher, CEO, and chairman of many committees including Deacons and Trustees. He often conducted church services in the pastor’s absence. Graveside service with military honours will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Okmulgee Cemetery in Okmulgee, OK. Services are under the care of Shurden-Jackson Funeral Home in Okmulgee, OK. Friends may leave their condolences at www.shurdenjackson.com.