Benjamin W. Lehew

Word has been received of the passing of Mr. Benjamin Lehew, 64, of Lawton, OK.

No services are planned at this time.

All arrangements are entrusted to Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home.

Benjamin W. Lehew, of Lawton, Oklahoma, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at a medical facility in Oklahoma City.

Benjamin was born on August 31, 1961, in Lawton, Oklahoma, to Lois J. Melendez and Lewis Wayne Lehew. He was raised in Lawton before moving overseas with his family when his father was stationed in Germany. Benjamin graduated from Karlsruhe American High School in West Germany in 1980.

Following graduation, the family relocated to Fort Hood, Texas, where Benjamin discovered his passion for law enforcement. At 19 years old, he began his career with the Texas Department of Corrections. He later returned to Lawton, where he continued his service with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections beginning in 1984.

Benjamin's dedication to his profession led him to Comanche County, where he was the first jail administrator to open and operate the Comanche County Detention Center following its construction. Though he briefly stepped away from law enforcement, Benjamin soon realized there was no other calling that fulfilled him in the same way. He returned to the field he loved, serving with the Walters Police Department, Apache Police Department, and as an active reserve officer with the Cache Police Department. At the time of his passing, he was serving as a full-time investigator with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Inspector General's Office.

Benjamin was deeply committed to protecting and serving his community, a role he embraced with pride throughout his life.

Benjamin is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Shelby and Zach Phelps of Lawton, his son, Brian Lehew of Yukon, and three grandchildren, Aaron, Peyton, and Chandler Phelps of Lawton.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lois J. Melendez; his stepfather, Luis Melendez; his father, Lewis Wayne Lehew; his uncle, Jimmy Lehew; and his sister, Waynese Lehew-Ellis.