Bennie Jew

Colonel Bennie Jew, USAF Retired, passed away at age 93 on February 9th, 2016 at his home in Ojai, California, surrounded by his children. Born on December 10th, 1922 in Los Angeles to Way Hong and Quan Shee Jew. Bennie married the love of his life, Cora Lee Benton on January 27th, 1945 at Capitol Heights Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his dear wife Cora, daughter Crystal Berman, infant granddaughter Samantha Berman, son-in-law Gary Paul Slaven and brothers Homer and Robert. He is survived by his children Priscilla Slaven, Claudia Jew (partner John Pemberton), Fred Jew (wife Laurie) and son Tom (partner Kevin). He also leaves behind 7 Grandchildren and their spouses, Andi Rae, Jason (Olivia), Matthew (Cyndi), Elizabeth (Thierry), Jeff (Cheryl), Ryan, and Patrick (Hannah). Bennie was blessed with, and survived by, 7 great-grandchildren: Zoe, Isabelle, Cora, Alyssa, Zachary, Luke and Abigail. He is also survived by siblings Celeste, Betty, Jane, Sarah, Raymond, Richard and Paul. Bennie volunteered for aviation cadet training in the Army Air Corps and called to active duty in August 1943. He was sent to Miami Beach, Florida for basic training and graduated with the aviation cadet Class 45-B, April 15, 1945. While training he flew the Piper P-3, the Stearman and the AT-6. It was during pilot training at Lodwick Field, in Lakeland, Florida that his eye caught the sight of a pretty little server in the dining hall, Cora Lee Benton, and he would waste no time making her his wife. After graduation he checked out in the Curtis P-40 but in 1946 decided to leave active duty because he did not want to raise a family in the military. He joined the Active Air Force Reserves and was assigned to the 448th Bomb Squadron. At the onset of the Korean War conflict he was called back to active duty in 1951. He attended Squadron Officer's School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama then went through B-26 combat training and on to Korea. After Korea he received his instructor pilot's certificate and instructed in T-28s and TB-25s. In 1956 Bennie was transferred to the Strategic Air Command to become a B-47 pilot in the 443rd Bomb Squadron with the 320th Bomb Wing at March AFB in Riverside, CA. It was here that he accumulated nearly 1000 hours in the B-47 and received his regular commission in the Air Force. In 1959, as the B-47 fleet was being phased out, he was given the option of transitioning to the B-52 Bomber fleet or the missile program. Because of his love of flying he chose the B-52 and moved to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City, South Dakota. He accrued nearly 3000 hours in the B-52, flying over 50 bombing missions over South Vietnam, frequently as the lead aircraft. Bennie returned to the 15th Air Force Headquarters at March AFB in 1967 and in 1969, after being promoted to full Colonel, was selected to attend Air War College at Maxwell AFB. After one year he would be transferred to Eielson AFB in Alaska to be the new Deputy Base Commander for two years until he volunteered to return to South Vietnam to be the Vice Wing Commander at Tan San Nhut Airbase. After 5 months he was assigned to Hanscom Field in Massachusetts as the Deputy Base Commander, but within a year was reassigned as Inspector General at Air Force Systems Command Headquarters, Andrews AFB, Washington, DC and it was here where Bennie said goodbye to his Air Force career, retiring on August 15th, 1975 to start his new civilian life.Bennie and Cora chose Ojai, California for their retirement where they decided to build their dream home and lived in Meiners Oaks while planning and constructing their home in Upper Ojai. In 1978 Bennie, Cora and Tom moved on site to their "barn" to facilitate construction and at this time he accepted the offer to become the president of the Sisar Mutual Water Co.; a volunteer position he held for 18 years. With the home finally completed in 1981, Bennie's thoughts returned to his lifelong passions: cars & planes. His love of Mercedes-Benz was born from the purchase of his first 1958 220S sedan in Rapid City, SD and over the years he collected as many as 42! With his well equipped home auto shop he was able to make almost all repairs with the exception of paint/body work. A member of the Mercedes Benz Club of America, he frequently showed cars, specifically at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Additionally he kept his pilot's license up to date, frequently flying in/out of Santa Paula Airport. While he loved his cars and planes he also loved working the 9 plus acre property that had been planted with fruit and olive trees. In 2004 his beloved Cora was taken by the Lord and for 12 years he was determined to reunite with her. Bennie came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 2008 and was baptized on June 1st, 2008. He became a member of the Ventura County Baptist Church and regularly attended the Jubilee Ministry. Our beloved Father, Grandfather & Great-Grandfather will be dearly missed, but is now in the presence of our Lord and reunited with his dear Cora. A memorial service and reception will be held at the Ventura County Baptist Church on March 5th, 2016 at 1pm. Funeral services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, date TBA. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation (http://curesff.org/) Online condolences can be made be made on the Charles Carroll Funeral Home website (www.dignitymemorial.com)