Ben L. Agagon, Jr.

On Thursday morning, July 15, 2021, Bienvenido "Ben" Agagon, Jr., loving husband, and father of four children, grandfather of eight, and great grandfather of six lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at age 83.

Ben was born on March 3, 1938, in Ozamiz City, Philippines to Bienvenido Agagon, Sr. and Isabel Lapinig Agagon. He grew up in a loving home where there was a lot of singing and dancing with four siblings, Ethel Villalba, Gertrude Oliva, Sister Gloria Agagon, and Josephine Macaranas.

Ben attended college at Mapua University in Manila, Philippines. He then transferred to Far Eastern University (FEU) where he received a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at Mapua University Ben was the head of the men's cheerleading team and president of the Chess Club. At FEU, he became involved in school politics and was voted student body president.

On May 13, 1962, Ben married his high school sweetheart, Urdaneta "Dani" Enriquez in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. Together they raised four children, Maria Carisa Joy, Joseph Troy, Maria Isabie Gay, and Joseph Lyle. Ben's passion for politics earned him a seat as a councilman in his province. However, he sacrificed his political career and moved to Manila to give his children a better education.

Early in his career, Ben worked as a Mechanical Engineer and service manager at Smith Bell and Company. He then changed employment and worked as a superintendent for a subdivision of Meralco, the largest private sector electric distribution utility company in the Philippines. After, Ben worked at General Motors as a service manager where he was in charge of the dealerships in all of Luzon, Philippines. In 1979, he emigrated to Los Angeles, California along with his family where he managed a home health care business for a few years then started his own until his retirement.

Ben was very social and active in his church and community. He was a choir member, lector, and usher at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. In 2009, he helped to initiate and coordinate Simbang Gabi, a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas. Ben was also a member of the Fourth Degree with Knights of Columbus, the highest and most prestigious degree. When Ben came to the United States, he and wife, Dani, joined a Filipino-American organization, Misamisnon, a non-profit organization helping underprivileged people in their town, Misamis, Philippines which included financial support and medical missions.

Ben loved to dance. Whenever there was music and a dancefloor, he was sure to perform. Whether it was the boogie, the cha-cha, line dancing or the tango, he commanded the room. Ben was also an avid sports fan. He loved everything L.A., especially the Lakers and the Dodgers and on Sundays, it was Tiger Woods. For someone with a small stature he had the loudest cheer especially when it came to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ben was best known for his love of music and dancing, his love for his family, and his passion for life.

Ben was preceded in death by his father, Bienvenido, Sr. and, and his mother, Isabel. In addition to his wife Dani and their four children, Joy, Troy, Gay, and Lyle, Ben is also survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Raul Pangilinan, Caroline Agagon, Tom Gombas, and Janelle Agagon, his grandchildren, Ryan, Patrick, Jeanelle, Justine, Megan, Chelsea, Cole, and Troy, his great-grandchildren, Riley, Reese, Miles, Mason, Jordan, and Liam, his sisters, Gertrude, Gloria, and Josephine, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Viewings will be held on Saturday July 24, 2021, and Sunday July 25, 2021, between 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive Los Angeles, California 90068. The memorial service will be held on Monday, July 26, 2021, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 7800 Vineland Avenue, Sun Valley, California.

Ben's family will be present to welcome loved ones.