Bennie M. O’Rear went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at the age of 93. He was born in Huxley, TX, on December 5, 1928, and was the oldest of three sons. Bennie graduated from high school when he was 16 years old, then joined the US Navy at the age of 17. After honorably serving his country for three years, he returned to TX and enrolled in Stephen F. Austin University, where he met his beloved wife. They were married on August 30, 1952 in Port Arthur, TX, and then moved to Pasadena, TX. From there, they moved to Cleveland, OH, Memphis, TN and back to Baytown, TX, before finally settling in Baton Rouge, LA, in 1964. Bennie never met a stranger and had the “gift of gab” according to all of his friends. He also enjoyed golfing, working out, marathon running, and above all, spending time with his wife and family. Bennie is survived by his children, Ronnie O’Rear (Shirley) and Kathy Brune; grandchildren, Christopher Brune (Paige) and Nicholas Brune (Emily), Benjamin O’Rear (Alicia) and Rebecca Vickers (Ross); great-grandchildren, Melodi, Averi, Olivia, Claire, Adelaide, Eloise, Finley, Sunny, Taylor, Jansen and Dylan; nieces and nephews, Shelia, Kelli, and Jack; sisters-in-law, Lois O’Rear and Jean O’Rear; along with a host of loving family members and friends. Bennie is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Claudia “Pat” Laverne O’Rear; parents, Alvie and Cassie O’Rear; brothers, Donald and Kelly; and son-in-law, Michael Brune. Visitation will be at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Dr., Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, April 18, 2022, from 1:00pm until the time of funeral services at 2:00pm. Burial will occur at Strong Cemetery in Shelbyville, TX, on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 1:00pm. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Melissa Domino, who took exceptional care of Bennie for the last two years, and to Debbie Morrison who took exceptional care as well.
