BEN B. THIGPEN

1927-2017

Ben B. Thigpen, 90, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 at Parkway Place, Houston, Texas. Ben was born on Aug. 4, l927 in Lamesa, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Archie B. Thigpen.

He met and married Barbara Merrick LaGrone in Lamesa in l956. He graduated from Lamesa High School in 1944 and started school at Texas A & M on June 4th 1944, D. Day, and graduated in l948. He served in the Air Force and the U.S. Army. He went to work for Western Geophysical and retired in l986 after serving 36 years. He was an Electoral Engineer and was a Vice President in charge of Instrumentation and Field Service. He traveled internationally and through his work was awarded 22 patents.

He was predeceased by his son, Alan Forest Thigpen, his parents Archie Burt Thigpen, Mrs. Forest Mitchell and stepfather Forest Mitchell. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Merrick Thigpen; stepson Travis LaGrone of Houston; two grandchildren Michelle LaGrone Ferguson and Jeremy Williams; three great-grandchildren, Sophia, Amadeo, and Artem Williams; his sister, Mrs. Louis, Pat, Davis of Lamesa; two half- brothers, Gary and Ron Thigpen of Denver, Colorado.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm in The Stateroom at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. A funeral service will be held at Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Tallowood Baptist Church, 555 Tallowood Drive, Houston, Texas 77024 with a reception following the service.