Benjamin O. Benham

BENHAM, BENJAMIN O. of Winter Park, passed away on November 3, 2012. He was born February 22, 1929 in Indianapolis, IN, one of five brothers and five sisters to Dr. Charles Orville and Helen Florence (Mason) Benham. After spending part of his childhood in Joliet, IL, the family moved to Santa Rosa County, FL when he was 10. By the age of 12, he was selling the Saturday Evening Post and Ladies Home Journal on the street. His hobbies were collecting guns and coins. Ben moved to Orange County in 1957 and was later elected to the Orange County Commission and served from 1969-1976 as member, Chairman and Vice-Chairman. He also served as Chairman of Orange-Seminole-Osceola Transportation Authority where, being an integral part of its beginning, he became known as the Step Father of the East/West Expressway (now SR 408). From 1969 thru 1977, he served as a member of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council and in 1975 as an Honorary Reviewing Officer for the Recruit Graduating Class of the Naval Training Center in Orlando. He is also a Past President of the Central Florida Sons of the American Revolution in 1971. Ben became a member of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida in 1960 in the Orlando Lodge #69. He was also a member of the Bahia Shrine Temple of Orlando where he served as president of the Fun and Frolic Unit and Parade Marshal. Within the Shrine, he was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, serving as Director in 2010. An avid cattleman and horse rancher, he was a member and served as president of the Orange County Cattleman's Association. He carried a business card that read "Land, Cattle, Fast Horses". Ben's agricultural interests lead him to Quarter Horse Racing, where in 1986, his horse, Ronas Ryon, won the prestigious All American Futurity (at that time, known as the richest horse race in the world). Ben also worked in the municipal bond business, was a civic leader, husband and father and will be missed by many. His parents and one sister, Mary Helen King, predecease him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Benham; sons Thomas and William Benham (Joan) both of Astatula, FL.; daughters Judy Bevirt of Sorrento, FL and Mary Langdon of DeBary, FL; 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. His siblings include Elizabeth Joy Brandt of Whitefish Bay WI, William J. Benham of Salem, OR, Grace P. Webb of Silver Springs, MD, James M. Benham of Incline Village, NV, Gloria A. Sewell of Minneapolis, MN, Ruth E. Plott of Waynesvillle, NC, George D. Benham of Clearwater, FL, Charles J Benham of Jacksonville, FL and brother in law, Michael D. Millard of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Ben Benham to Bahia Shrine Transportation Fund, The Salvation Army and Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs, FL. A Masonic Service will be held Friday, November 9, 2012 at 5 pm at the Bahia Shrine Center 2300 Pembrook Dr. Orlando, FL 32810. Arrangements entrusted to COLLISON FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY HOWELL BRANCH CHAPEL, 3806 Howell Branch Rd. Winter Park, FL 32792. PH (407) 678-4500.