Ben Schoonover

Schoonover, Ben James Benjamin "Ben" Schoonover was born July 13, 1994, and passed away in the loving presence of his parents, sister and brother on April 24, 2012, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Always ready and willing to help, Ben touched the lives of all that were fortunate to know him. A loyal and trustworthy friend, Ben was always available with a helping hand, a strong shoulder to lean on, or a listening ear. His smile would let you know that everything was going to work out and be okay. Even after his diagnosis, he never complained. He just held his head up and courageously remained positive as he fought bravely to overcome his cancer, relying on his trust in God and the closeness of his family. Ben was a gifted student and a member of the National Honor Society. He was ranked number one in his senior class at the time of his diagnosis. Through his treatments, he kept up with his school work from home. On May 26, 2012, he would have been given the honor of valedictorian of his class at Ovilla Christian School. His desire was to attend Texas A&M and later medical school. Always a team player and leader on the field, Ben also had been recognized as an all district soccer athlete. His family will carry with them many wonderful memories of watching him give 100% on every play. Ben also loved the outdoors. He was an accomplished hunter and fisherman, earning a Master Angler Award from the State of Nebraska at the age of ten for one of his catches. But it was the time he spent with family and friends, during these activities, that he cherished the most. Ben valued his relationships over material things and accomplishments. This was especially true with his relationship with Jesus Christ. Ben was known for his ability to walk what he talked and others were drawn to his kind, compassionate, nonjudgmental spirit. His desire to put others before himself gave him a passion for his Christian service and mission work. He loved his church youth group at Ovilla Road Baptist and they loved him. In recent years he looked forward to his summer mission trips to places like Hungary and the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. Whether on a mission trip across the ocean, helping the less fortunate in his community, or spending time with his younger cousins, Ben's aim was to show others that they were loved and cared for. Our hearts are broken and saddened beyond words by Ben's premature departure from this earth, but are comforted to know that he is in the loving arms of his heavenly Father, and with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even though our understanding is lacking, our faith remains strong and we look forward to the day when we will be reunited with him in heaven. Loved and cherished son, it was our great honor and privilege to be your parents. Thank you for being such a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin. We love you. We always have and we always will. We are comforted by your strong faith as evidenced by what you wrote in one of your Facebook posts. You wrote, "My fear is not of death, I know where I'm going. My fear is that those who are watching these events and if it happens that I pass away as we all do will take this as a circumstance of God not pulling through for someone. Just because God doesn't take care of my tumor does not mean He left me. It means that my time for glorifying Him here is done and He would be taking me to a place with no suffering, no pain, no sickness. God chose to save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He may choose to save me, but He may not. But I know this is what God set in front of me for whatever reason or higher purpose, so I approach it with confidence in Him and His plan. No one should look at it any different. He plots my course and I run my race, however long or short or rocky or smooth. He put me here, and I know He will take me when the time is right." Ben is survived by his parents, Dr. Brad and Melissa Schoonover; sister Sarah and her boyfriend Andy; brother John; grandparents Carl and Mary Schoonover; Aunts and Uncles Sue and Lynden Tennison and their daughter Victoria, Kathy and Dan Eddy III and their sons Chris and Jason and their families, Martha and Bob Robbins and their daughter Rachel and her children, Paula and Allen Reed and their daughter Heather and her family, and their son Josh, and Kevin and Mindy Cummings and their son Carter and many other loving family members and friends. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until Service Time Saturday April 28, 2012. Funeral Services will begin at 12 Noon at Ovilla Rd. Baptist Church, 3251 Ovilla Rd., Ovilla, TX 75154; Rev. Billy Allen and Rev. Bryan Glover will be officiating. Interment will follow in Shiloh Cumberland Cemetery. In leui of flowers or gifts the family asks you to consider donating to the Ben Schoonover Memorial Scholarship Fund, Attn: Lorrie Welch, Ovilla Christian School, 3251 Ovilla Rd. Ovilla, TX 75154