Ben N. Driggers

Ben was a 1942 graduate of Brackenridge High School. After graduating, Ben continued to work as a courier for the Southern Pacific Railroad, a job he started at age 16. In 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and became a radioman assigned to a mine sweeper in the Pacific Theater. He saw his first action at Tarawa Island, which was the first island captured by the U.S. Navy and Marines in preparation of the planned land offensive of the Japanese Islands. Other survivors of this engagement included John F. Kennedy, and Medal of Honor recipient William Bordelon. He attained the rank of RM2 before his discharge in 1946 having participated in the liberations of a number Asian countries including the Philippines, Japan, and China.

Upon his return to civilian life he went back to the SPRR and in 1947 met his future wife and life-long love, Mary Louise Brinkmann. They married on April 26, 1952 and settled on the southeast side of San Antonio and became active members of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and the Double Ring Club. They shared a passion for their annual excursions to Rockport, train trips, dancing and enjoying many good times with family and friends. Ben eventually moved into sales at the SPRR, a job he retired from in March of 1983.

Ben was an avid domino player and an excellent saltwater fisherman. He taught his three children, his five granddaughters, two step-grandsons, and a couple of sons-in-law how to "coast" fish. He had great aptitude for home and auto repairs especially plumbing.

Ben had taken on the role of caregiver for his Mom after her car accident and even after she had to move to a nursing home. In 2000, Mary Louise became ill and he once again stepped into the role of caregiver to her until her death in 2008.

Ben was preceded in death by his wife and parents, his sisters Marcella Custer and Frances Neuhaus. He is survived by his daughters Maureen Driggers and Karen Milling (Charles), his son Gary (Michele). His granddaughters Margaret Schneiderheinz (fiancée Robby Heathcott), Meredith Schneiderheinz Taylor (Jeramy), Kimberly Milling Lancarte (Parker), Katherine Milling and Margaret Milling; step-grandsons Matthew Milling (Lauren) and Charlie Milling (Joyce), and 5 step-great-grandchildren Adelaide, Henrietta, Amelie, Annabelle, and Bryan.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, June 15th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212.

ROSARY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016

7:00 PM

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

MASS OF THE RESURRECTION

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2016

9:30 AM

ST. MARGARET MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH

1314 FAIR AVE.

Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made in Ben's name to the Retirement Fund of the Sisters of Divine Providence, 515 Southwest 24th St., San Antonio, TX 78207.