Benton Ray Venable's Obituary
Benton Ray Venable, a loving, caring, devoted husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully Jan. 11, 2006. Ben was the first of three children born to Thomas and Retta Venable Sept. 1, 1918, in Livingston, Montana. Ben grew up on a ranch a few miles from Livingston with his brothers Roscoe (Bud) and Sam until joining the Air Force in 1940. During World War II, in the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group, Ben flew C-46 aircraft over the China-Burma Hump. While maintaining his pilot status, Ben expanded his military career by becoming an Air Force meteorologist. He served in the Korean War as the Air Weather ServiceÂ's weather forecaster, when stationed in Tokyo, Japan, he was in the Inspector GeneralÂ's Office, when stationed in Washington, DC, he was the Detachment Commander for Air Weather Service at the Pentagon, when stationed with the 7th Army in Stuttgart, Germany, in the G2 group, he received special recognition from the base commander for his service as a meteorologist, and upon retirement from the Air Force, after his last tour of duty at Ft. Lewis, Washington, he received a number of letters of recognition from commanding officers. During BenÂ's military career, he was awarded numerous commendations including: the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Commendation Ribbon in recognition of Â"Meritorious United States Air Force Service,Â" the US ArmyÂ's Commendation Medal for Â"Support of the US Army,Â" and most notably, the Distinguished Flying Cross with an Oak Leaf Cluster. Many of the commendations were earned flying over the China-Burma Hump as a Â"Hump Pilot,Â" a service which is highly regarded by China to this day. Ben married Virginia (Ginny) Dozier in Houston, Texas, in 1946, and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May. They had two children, Linda and Brian. Linda married Dr. Richard Spivey and they had two sons, Matthew and Benjamin. Following BenÂ's retirement in 1964, while living in Lakewood, Washington, Ben enjoyed his favorite sports of golf (at which he became an exceptional golfer with a single digit handicap and 3 holes in one), fishing, and bowling, and enjoyed his time as a volunteer at the VA Hospital. From BenÂ's love of fishing, the family always had a full supply of steelhead and smoked salmon in the fridge. He enjoyed teaching his grandsons to fish and play chess and poker. Ben was also an avid walker -- he enjoyed greeting neighbors while on his daily walks in Lakewood. Ben is survived by his wife Ginny, his brother Sam, his son, Brian, his daughter Linda and her husband Rich, their sons Matthew and Benjamin, and BenjaminÂ's wife, Theresa. BenÂ's family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to all the staff and volunteers at the Pioneer Place Alzheimer Residence for making BenÂ's final time as joyful and comfortable as possible. In honoring BenÂ's wishes, no public service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in BenÂ's name may be made to The Madigan Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 98215, Lakewood, WA 98497.
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