Ben E. Batey was born at home on November 27, 1935 in Madison, Tenn., to Sarah Christine Traylor Batey and Benjamin Walter Batey. He was the third of four sons. Ben attended a two-room primary school in Neely’s Bend and graduated from Nashville’s Litton High School in 1953 with his best friend, and cousin, Paul Traylor. In their youth, Ben and his brothers worked side by side with their father, Walter, in the family owned Neely’s Bend Dairy. The daily hard work motivated Ben and his brothers to do well in school and in their future careers. After graduation from high school, Ben attended David Lipsomb College for two years before transferring and graduating from Vanderbilt University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry along with a master’s degree in education. He met his future bride, Gayle Sipe, at Vanderbilt. Shortly after graduation, Ben and Gayle were married. In the summer of 1960, Ben and Gayle accepted jobs with the Kern High School District and left Middle Tennessee for the greener pastures of California and the farming town of Shafter. Ben taught biology and chemistry at Shafter High and Foothill High during a teaching career that spanned almost a decade. In 1969, Ben would leave teaching for a new career in real estate when he was recruited to join the Karpe Real Estate Group by company president Al Wheelan. With hard work and dedication, Ben found success in the real estate business. In1973, he was recognized as salesman of the year by the Bakersfield Association of Realtors. Through the years, Ben served on many committees and the board of directors for the Association. During the 1970’s, Ben expanded his activities to include residential construction. As Karpe’s partner and manager of construction, he built homes in southwest and northwest Bakersfield’s most desirable communities. His homes can still be seen in Sagepoint, Amberton, Stockdale Estates, Laurelglen, and Palm Estates. Ben, along with his wife and business partner Gayle, kicked off the 1980’s by founding their own real estate sales, construction, and development business.During the next three decades, Ben would become a driving force in the development of northwest Bakersfield. Some of the neighborhoods where his work can be seen include: the Oaks, Haggin Oaks, Seven Oaks, Willow Creek, Westdale,Westdale North, Polo Glen, and Olive Park. Ben was proud of the opportunity to mentor several of Bakersfield’s most successful young builder’s and help them get their start in business. In addition to his passion for business, Ben enjoyed traveling the country and the world with his family. His association with East Bakersfield Rotary brought him great enjoyment and allowed him to continue to serve his community after he left teaching. Through Rotary, Ben had the opportunity to promote literacy in Kern County. Rotary recognized Ben as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest brother William Edwin Batey, and his sister-n-law Shirley Sipe Mitchell (Charles). Ben is survived by his loving wife, Gayle; brothers Charles B. Batey (Mary Lu) and Thomas Walter Batey (Nan); sisters-in-law Betty Batey (Edwin) and Linda Sipe Hardaway(Hall); children Benjamin Carleton Batey, James Bryan Batey (Marie), Charlotte AnneBatey (Wally Beasley); grandchildren Justin Batey (Alexandra), James Batey, John Batey, Alexandra Beasley, and Hunter Beasley; 16 nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to: The Boys and Girls Club of Kern County, 801 Niles Street Bakersfield, CA 93305 OR The Boy Scouts of America- Southern Sierra Council, 2417 M Street, Bakersfield 93301. Memorial Service: Saturday, August 9th, at 10:30 am. First Methodist Church 4600 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield 93309. Reception to follow at Stockdale Country Club.
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