Benton Ben M. Jones

As a young Navy 'Frogman', Benton Ben M. Jones was routinely picked up from frigid, choppy waters by a very strong teammate who held a snare and flipped him into a rubber recovery boat. The Almighty picked up Ben on August 27, 2005, to dwell with Him forever. By the grace of God, an active lifestyle and a determination to survive, he had withstood an eighteen-year battle with melanoma.

Ben was born in Austin, Texas on July 6, 1931. He was preceded in death by his first wife Matilde Louisa Jones. He is survived by his loving wife Maudie Gene Jones; two step-daughters and their spouses, Adria Brian Stacha and Erin J.P. Daley; four grandsons: Mitchell and Garrett Stacha, Jud and Luke Daley; mother-in-law Maudie Bell; a son Xavier Lisa Jones; sister-in-law Caroline Carlos Jimenez; nephew Carlin Jimenez; sister-in-law Annella Tom Egbert; sister Edith Jim Ray; brother Melvin Ruth Jones and numerous extended family and friends.

Upon high school graduation, and underage at not yet 17, he entered the U.S. Navy in 1948. During the Korean War, he served seventeen months of combat with Underwater Demolition Team Three and Team One. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy in 1952, he entered the University of Texas Austin, from which he received both BS and MA Degrees.

Ben taught English at Moody High School, Corpus Christi, Texas, for thirty years. After retiring from public schools, he taught English to foreign-language pilots for five years at the Defense Language Institute, Lackland AFB, San Antonio.

He was a current member of the UDT -SEAL Museum Assn. He greatly enjoyed translating poetry in English, Spanish, and Japanese. Ben was a skilled scroll saw woodcraftsman, crafting many beautiful crosses and pieces depicting nature. He and his wife enjoyed extensive travel during their fifteen-year marriage.

However, his greatest joy in recent years came from his role as 'Grandpa' to his four adoring young grandsons. He always had time to hold them, read a story, push them in his wheelbarrow, walk them to the park, teach them something new or sit with them at his computer.

Thank you for all the prayers and support of family, friends, and prayer groups. We deeply appreciate, also, the treatment and care given to Ben by his skilled surgeons, physicians, the staff of CTRC and the staff of VistaCare Hospice. May God bless you all.

In lieu of flowers, anyone who desires may send a memorial donation to Cancer Therapy & Research Center, P.O. Box 1657, San Antonio, TX 78296; Salvation Army Hurricane Katrina Relief, P.O. Box 28165, San Antonio, TX 78228; or the charity of their choice.