Greg Bender

Greg Bender died September 7, 2015 in Tucson. He is survived by his daughter, Chelsea James and his grandsons, Huxley and Blake James. A UofA graduate earning a BFA in drawing and painting, Greg was a lifelong Buddhist. He was an organizer for both the 1993 and 2005 visits to Tucson by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and served as the Buddhist Chaplain for the UofA, also teaching at the Little Chapel. Authentic and gifted, Greg created masterful paintings, lyrical poetry and profound prose. He built custom residential and commercial spaces, utilizing his innate architectural and engineering talents. He most recently resided, worked and painted in Hawaii. Greg will be remembered and cherished for his generosity, kindness, humor and wisdom. We are grateful to Greg for the rich gifts he freely bestowed on his beloved family and many friends. His memory may be honored by donating in his name to the Garchen Buddhist Institute, P.O. Box 4318, Chino Valley, AZ 86323 www.garchen.net. A Celebration of Greg's Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, November 1, 2015 at The Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. 7th St. in Tucson. Arrangements by ABBEY FUNERAL CHAPEL.