Grayson County TXGenWeb
Ben Freeman Blanton

from Ruth Walsh

Herald Democrat, October 21, 2004
BEN FREEMAN BLANTON (photo accompanied obit)
   DENISON -- Ben Freeman Blanton, age 81, of Denison passed away Wednesday,
October 20, 2004, at his residence. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday,
October 23 at Johnson-Moore Chapel with Dr. Jim Bowden officiating. Burial
will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park.
   Mr. Blanton was born on March 31, 1923 in Denison, Texas, son of Benjamin
Franklin and Frances Hodge Blanton. Ben graduated from Denison High School
in 1941 in the face of World War II, and like all others, headed for the
recruiting office. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and became an
instrument flying instructor, teaching Air Force cadets in the art of
instrument take offs, charted courses and landings for some of our heaviest
bombers in World War II.
   After the war was over, Ben left the service and accepted employment as a
Texas Dept. of Public Safety trooper for about five years, stationed in El
Paso and other points along the border. After a period with the MKT
Railroad, he accepted employment as a rural mail carrier with the U.S Postal
Service, after having been appointed by Congressman Ray Roberts. He retired
in 1988.
   He married Jean Pennell on Oct. 16, 1948, in Sherman, Texas. Ben and Jean
had many hobbies and spent nearly 25 years raising Quarterhorses. He was
also a Ham Radio Operator, having attained the highest license offered by
the Ham Radio Relay League which accorded him broadcast rights throughout
the world, a hobby he thoroughly enjoyed.
   They were also avid deer hunters for many years and enjoyed fishing on
Lake Texoma. He was also a 56-year member of Masonic Lodge #403 and the
Hella Temple Shrine. He was a member of Waples Memorial United Methodist
Church and the Criterion Sunday School Class. He also served on the
Administrative Board.
   Pallbearers will be Keith Hubbard, Burney Robinson, Glen Hawkins and
Robby Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Luckie and Glenn Simpson.
   Surviving are his wife, Jean Blanton of Denison; niece,
Carolyn Wells Dickson of Elkin, N.C.; great-niece, Laurie Dyer and her
husband, Sean and daughters, Bevin and Darcie, all of Elkin, N.C.;
great-nephew, David Carter Dickson III and wife, Cindy and sons, Carter IV
and Jack Wells Dickson, all of Newton, N.C.; brother-in-law, Robert Pennell
and wife, Gerry of Hobbs, N.M.; sisters-in-law, Pauline Walker of Sherman,
Texas and Betty Pennell of Kenefic, Okla.; numerous nieces and nephews.
   He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Sheriff Woody Blanton;
and sisters, Dorothy Blanton Wells and Louise Blanton.
   The family will be at their residence.
   The family suggests memorials to Waples Memorial United Methodist Church,
830 W. Main Street, Denison, Texas 75020.
(Ben was the grandson of Thomas Jefferson Blanton and Eliza Jane Smith and
the g-grandson of Fannin Co., TX pioneers Josiah Blanton and Lucy
Westbrook.)