Bennie O'del Lueders

Bennie O'del Lueders, 95, passed away peacefully at his Smithville home Sunday, April 23,

2023, with his loving wife, Mary Lueders, by his side. One of 7 children, Bennie was born in

Muldoon, Texas to Benno R. Lueders and Ova Parker Lueders on January 10, 1928.

At the age of 14, Bennie joined the workforce to help build Camp Swift in the early 1940's. At 17

years of age, he joined the Coast Guard during WWII, and then the US Army during the Korean

War. While in his 20's, he obtained his pilot's license and flew private planes, achieving the

Wright Brothers' Master Pilot Award for Flying over 50 years of safe flying. Along with erecting

several airplane hangers, he helped build and establish the Irvin Row Airport Terminal at the

Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport.

Though he had many successful endeavors in his early years; riding stable owner, charter boat

fishing captain, marina owner, real estate developer, just to name a few; his greatest passion

besides his family, was music. During the 40's, 50's and 60's, Bennie played in several bands,

including Jimmy Dean and Dottie West. He also had his own bands "The Western Rangers"

and "Nine-Piece Band", as well as a recording and radio program KLEE in Houston, TX. His

band members included stars such as Tommy Sands, Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame member Link

Davis, and Herb Remington, developer of the Remington Steel guitar. In 2019 Bennie was

inducted into The Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame.

In 1981 Bennie and Mary moved to Smithville to start their business, B and L Car Wash and Car

Lot. He was the director of the Smithville Chamber of Commerce in 1985-1986, a member of

the Smithville Lions Club, an officer in the Smithville American Legion post 180, Charter

member of the Smithville Flying Club, and was presented with the Key to the City of Smithville in

2000 by the Smithville City Council.

Bennie is preceded in death by his parents Benno and Ova Parker, 4 brothers Alton Lueders,

Alvin Lueders, Parker Lueders, Bobby Lueders, 2 sisters Dollie Lueders Null and Doris Lueders

Forsythe, his son Alvin Lueders, and granddaughter Kellie Behrens Cunningham.

Bennie is survived by wife Mary Ann Lueders, daughter Brenda L. Lueders Behrens and

husband LeRoy of Smithville, Tx., daughter Mary E. Rojas of Merritt Island, FL., 6 grandchildren

Shannon Bowling, Heather Nazario, Alex Rojas, Morgan Hernesman, Chelsea Kahl, Rory

Rojas, and grandson-in-law Jack Cunningham, 19 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces

and nephews.

The family would like to thank Serenity Hospice and The Neptune Society for the compassion

and care they provided Bennie during his final days, as well as the multitude of friends who

called and visited.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to:

First United Methodist Church 400 Olive St. Smithville, TX 78957 or Friends of 84R Airport Fund ? Cynthia White PO Box 449 Smithville, TX 78957 or Serenity Hospice 701 Walnut St. Bastrop, TX 78602