Benjamin C Lauderdale Jr.

Benjamin Cicero Lauderdale, Jr., longtime Tyler educator, passed away on November 28, 2013, at The Hospice of East Texas. He was born September 14, 1927, in Dublin, the youngest of seven children to the late Benjamin C. and Frances Bowers Lauderdale. The family moved soon thereafter to Iraan, an oil boom town. He graduated from Iraan High School in 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Allied Occupation forces in Japan.
After completing his military service in 1947, he enrolled in Baylor University, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. While at Baylor, he met Joyce Hightower of Houston, and they were married in August 1951.
Ben and Joyce began their married life in Bremond. He taught at Bremond High School and also led music at the First Baptist Church. They moved briefly to Teague, settling in Tyler in 1955. During this early Tyler period, they joined Green Acres Baptist Church, where Ben also served as Minister of Music from 1958-1964. He also obtained a Master of Education from East Texas State College. They adopted two sons: Lane in 1959, and Lance in 1962.
In 1955, Ben began a 30-year career with the Tyler Independent School District. He taught music and 6th grade at Bell, Bonner, Clarkston and Woods elementary schools. Moving from the classroom to administration, he was Principal of Mattie Jones Elementary from 1966-1977, and Andy Woods Elementary from 1977-1985. When the Tyler lSD celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2002, Ben was recognized as one of the 120 Heroes of Tyler Public Schools. He later became the first headmaster of The Brook Hill School in Bullard.
Ben also taught piano, enjoyed going to the symphony, and was a faithful member of the South Tyler Rotary club for over 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters, son Lance in 1983, and wife Joyce in 2001.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Lane and Pam Lauderdale of Tyler, grandson Jarrett Lauderdale of Houston, grandson William Lauderdale of Bryan, and other loving relatives.
A memorial service to celebrate Ben's life will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 2, in the chapel of Green Acres Baptist Church with Dr. Paul Powell and Dr. Doug Baker officiating, under the direction of Burks-Walker-Tippit Funeral Directors. A brief family graveside service will be conducted at Rose Hill Cemetery prior to the memorial service.
Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Ben cared about many charities in Tyler, so in lieu of flowers, the family suggests the following: The Brook Hill School Fine Arts, South Tyler Rotary Endowment Fund at East Texas Communities Foundation, The Children?s Village, Buckner Foundation, Dallas; or a charity of one?s choice.