Benjamin P. Serapion, 76, of Peachtree City, GA passed away on December 31, 2020. He was born in Pahala, HI on August 28, 1944 to the late Fortunato and Mercedes Serapion. Ben was born on a sugar cane plantation on the Big Island of Hawaii to indentured servants and grew up on the plantation camp. He was the youngest of nine siblings.
At the age of 17 he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army. He enlisted as an Aviation Crewmember and served as a UH-1 Huey Crew Chief in Vietnam in 1964 and 1965. During his service he attained the rank of Specialist 5 and was highly decorated with a Purple Heart and 16 Air Medals with Valor. Upon completion of his enlistment he returned stateside and took up residence in Southern California. It was there that he met his bride Barbara “Babs” Brandin. They were married for 49 years and together they had three sons Troy, Guy, and Chad. They resided in Norwalk, CA. Ben used his military training as an aviation mechanic to work in the airline industry with Western Airlines and Delta Airlines. In 1988 his employment with Delta led to a transfer to the Atlanta area and he and his family took up residence in Peachtree City, GA. Ben loved the landscape of Georgia and how the seasons were so unique, which was so different from his upbringing in Hawaii. After 35 years of Service, he retired from the Airline Industry so that he could pursue his passion of rebuilding automobiles. Ben had quite the car collection, and it was his lifelong intent to “fix ‘em up” when he retired. He very much loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them compete in sports and grow. He was a life member of VFW post 9949 in Peachtree City and enjoyed volunteering when he was able. He was very proud of his family and military service. He loved cars and guns and passed his passions along to his sons.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Serapion; and their three sons, Troy Serapion and his children Asa, Alahna, and Graecyn; Guy (Nicole) Serapion and his children Kailani, Makoa, Nani, Leilani, and Chad Serapion of Peachtree City, GA. He is also survived by his siblings, Agnes Casupang of Pearl City, HI, Felicidad (Juanito) Fagaragan of Cerritos, CA, George (Ellen) Agcaoili of Santa Ana, CA, Ernesto Agcaoili of Monterey Park, CA, and Antonino Serapion of Woodlake, CA; sister-in-laws, Mee Chai Rabanal of Pearl City, HI and Pat Adler of San Clemente, CA; and Brother-in-law James Brandin of Hurricane, UT. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Dogwood Church, 975 Hwy 74 N., Tyrone, GA 30290. The service may be viewed online at www.dogwood.church/celebrations starting at 10:45 am, with a video montage then, followed by the service.
He will be inurned at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA in a private family ceremony with military honors at a later date and time.
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