CHESTER BURETTE BENGE, JR.

1928-2018

Chester Burette Benge, Jr., died on Monday, the 16th of July 2018 at his home in Houston, at the age of 89. He was born on the 22nd of August 1928 in Grand Saline, Texas to the late Chester Burette Benge and Ruth Lynn Fowler. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Bell Benge, his daughter Marguerite (Marte) Griffith and her husband, Geoff, and two adored grandchildren, Emily and William Griffith. He is also survived by his two brothers, Walter Benge of Lancaster, California and Raymond Benge of Linden, Tennessee and their families.

Chester’s education at the University of Houston was interrupted when he was called to active duty in the Korean War. He served two years as the commanding officer of the 136th installation squadron. He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat. His wartime experience left a profound impression on him and fostered his interest in American military history. He dedicated his life to God, service to his country, family and business. His life exemplified his commitment.

After the war, he returned the University of Houston and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. In 1955, the late Weldon Smith, President of Big 6 Drilling Company, hired him as a bookkeeper. It was the beginning of Chester’s 63 year career at Big 6. He was Chairman of the Board at the time of his death. Despite the boom and bust nature of the oil business, Chester loved it. In a 1979 Interview with TIME magazine, he said that the oil business was one of the few where you could go to bed poor and wake up rich. During his long career he enjoyed the camaraderie of the people in the oil patch in Houston and around the world.

Chester was active in many professional organizations including Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners (TIPRO), American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC). He served as Secretary, Vice President, President and Chairman of the Executive Committee of IADC. Chester testified before Congress on several occasions about industry safety standards and federal regulations. Actually, he scolded Congress about over-regulation. In 1989, he received the IADC’s Contractor of the Year award.

In 1981, Governor William Clements appointed Chester to the Board of Regents at the University of Houston. He was a member for six years and was Chairman of the Board for two years. He served as a Trustee of the University of Houston Foundation. Chester joined the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business and the UH School of Petroleum Engineering which he was instrumental in founding. “I laid the first few bricks and then others built the wall”, he said. Involvement with UH was a life- changing experience and education remained one of his passions. He also served on the board at The Regis School of the Sacred Heart and several financial institutions.

He was a member of the St. Charles Bay Club where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends, family and most of all, his grandchildren. Whether taking them to Sunday school or fishing or trips to Disneyworld and other favorite places, time with his grandchildren was a priority. He was a long-time member of the Petroleum Club and served as an officer and director for three years. Lunch at the Round Table with fellow club members was a favorite event. He enjoyed The Reading for Pleasure Club also. Chester belonged to The Colonneh Club and served as President in 2005.

Raised in the Methodist church, Chester belonged to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for sixty years. He was an usher for over thirty years, a greeter and served on the Administrative Board. He was a member and served as President of the Hines Baker Bible Class. Later, he joined the Randy Smith Bible Class.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 20th of July, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church; 3471 Westheimer in Houston, where Rev. H. Michael Tyson, II, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at the church.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions be directed in Chester’s honor to the University of Houston Foundation 4543 Post Oak Place Drive, Ste. 250, Houston, TX, 77027 or to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Foundation P.O. Box 22013, Houston, TX 77227.

Jimmy was born to the late Florence and John Johnson on May 24,1940 in Ontario, Oregon. Jimmy had a life long love of flying. In his younger years he worked for Barstow Aviation as a flight instructor. In 1964 he began his career as a Pilot with Delta Airlines, expanding to International flights before retiring in 1997. In 1988 he graduated from South Texas College of Law, specializing as a trial lawyer in class action suits and retiring in 2015. He was producer and co-owner with his brother of Sound Masters Recording Studio originally Nashville Sound studio in Houston, Tx for many years.

Jimmy is preceded in death by Ricky Dean Johnson, Lola Johnson Mason, Dorothy Johnson and Johnny Johnson. Survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Suzanne. His children, Debra Bruce, Marissa (Thomas) Hubbell and Blake (Katie) Johnson along with his brother Joel (Beth) Johnson and five grandsons. Jimmy was lovingly known as “Pops” to his family and friends. Pops had not only love of flying and law but he enjoyed cooking for his family and working on motorcycles and cars. Pops didn’t cook just for the sake of carrying on the tradition, but rather it was for another moment with someone. He knew the value of a meal, a creative expression of tastes and flavors and moments spent with loved ones that we can now carry with us. He was focused on the “now”. It can be comfortable to take a back seat to the universe and digest each moment by its core emotion, but he taught us to live for the “now”, take it for what it truly is.

Pops gained his final wings on April 29, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He is still within all of us and we will carry a piece of him with us during our journey. We have the chance to carry on the memories, heartache, creativity, intelligence, diligence and the spirit of Pop through our days.

As we close this chapter of life, we would like to think we will continue on our journey with him as our co-pilot.

If you would like to contact the family for celebration of life information or updates, please email redsboys@ yahoo.com