Benjamin Crosswhite Davis

DAVIS, Benjamin Crosswhite, died Monday, December 8, 2008, of a long illness. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Darlene Davis; grand-daughter, Isabella Araya; brother, Harry Davis; nieces, Veronica Church, Sheena Davis and Charla Davis; and nephew, George Davis. Ben was born in Tampa at St. Joseph Hospital April 21, 1937, the son of George W. Davis and Ruth Elaine (Betty) Bowman Davis. Ben was the grandson of engineer and developer Ben T. Davis, who built the Ben T. Davis Causeway. Ben spent his early years with his family on his grandfather' s cattle ranch, Esperaza, in Harlingen, Texas. He enjoyed hunting and horseback riding. While he was growing up, Ben attended Moye Military School in Castroville, Texas and Raymondville High School. Ben joined the U.S. Navy and served on the submarine King Kameamea in Hawaii and the Pacific. While serving on the Sunfish, he met Marilyn Hurney in Quincy, Mass. They married in 1968. Ben later taught naval culinary classes in the Netherlands. When Ben retired, he worked first in Alaska and later for the U.S. Merchant Marines. He enjoyed taking his wife and daughter on trips with the BMW touring motorcycle club and proudly owned both Harley Davidson and BMW motorcycles. Ben will be remembered as a kind, helpful man by his family and many friends. He enjoyed gathering his large, extended family for a celebration where he could show off his gourmet skills and Texas cuisine. Ben was an active member of the United States Submarine Veterans Club. He belonged to the Port Tampa American Legion 138. A service will take place at noon Friday, December 12, at Brewer & Sons Funeral Home at 3328 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, (813) 835-4991.