Richard L Benfield

A funeral service for Richard will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, 1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32534.

Richard Lee Benfield was born on May 18, 1928 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Earl Snow and Elsie Dorothy Benfield. He graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in the Class of 1946.

On September 15,1947, Richard took a job with Southern Bell Telephone Company. After four years in this position, he was promoted to Customer Service Representative in the Sales Department. He was later promoted to Customer Service Engineer.

Richard married Irene Winifred Barlow on April 17, 1949, and remained married for fifty-two years until her death on October 30, 2001. They had a daughter, Constance Lee Benfield (Zerr) and three sons, Richard Lee, Jr., Mark Allan and Kevin Lee.

In June 1966, Richard and his family transferred to the Pensacola, Florida office of Southern Bell. His primary assignment was to work with the U.S. Navy, the city, county and state government to provide their basic communication needs. Richard retired on December 29, 1982, with 35 years of service. Following his retirement, he took a contract with Escambia County to provide communication consultant services and held this position for five years.

Richard was a member of Olive Baptist Church and worked in their Television Ministry. He enjoyed volunteering for Escambia Search and Rescue, American Red Cross and the Escambia County Sheriff's'' Office. In the Red Cross he served as Disaster Chairman for the Pensacola Chapter and as Disaster Coordinator for the Northwest Florida area. Richard volunteered with the Escambia County Sheriff's Volunteer Parking Enforcement Program and helped to develop training material for this program. He served as Sergeant in charge of field assignments until his retirement.

On May 10, 2003, Richard married Betty Belcher, whom he met at Olive Baptist Church in the widowed persons support group. They had many happy years together enjoying church, travel and family until she passed away on December 2, 2021.

Richard passed from this life on Friday, March 1 , 2024 at the age of 95. He made it known he was ready to see the face of Jesus and his two beautiful brides.