John Henry Benn

Services for John Henry Benn will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Sulphur with Pastor Tom Hefley officiating. Burial will follow at the Oaklawn Cemetery.

John was born seventh of eight children on February 8, 1949 in Murray County to Roy Chester and Esther Ruth (Barton) Benn. He died Friday, May 31, 2019 in Oklahoma City, at the age of 70.

John attended Sulphur High School and East Central University. He joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18 and proudly served his country. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he was injured in battle and received the Purple Heart Medal.

John worked as a surveyor most of his life, taking him to many areas of the country. After retiring, he settled in Oklahoma City, where he was living at the time of his death.

John had many passions throughout his life. He had a great love and respect of all branches of our military. John enjoyed science, mathematics and astronomy. He was always searching for the “why and how” of any subject that interested him.

At a young age John taught himself to play the guitar and piano. As a teenager, he and several other Sulphur boys formed a band named “The Sound Waves”. Many will remember hearing them and attending dances; as well as “battles” with other local bands. Music and playing guitar stayed a passion with John until his untimely death.

John was well versed in political issues and problems the world is facing. He had several political articles published throughout his life. His focus was to alert people to these issues and work to correct them for improvement of mankind.

Another passion John had was bicycling and motorcycles. Sadly, a motorcycle accident ended his life.

John was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Gerald Benn; two sisters, Pam Moore Barnes and Janet Johnson; as well as two nephews, Lynne Caldwell and Cory Byers; three nieces, Tina Caldwell, Tammy Epperly and Dorisa Chapman; and great-niece, Mary Lynn Caldwell.


Surviving John are three sisters, Hampie Roberts & husband Owen of Oklahoma City, Dorsa Stidham of Tulsa and Debbie Hall & husband Jerry of Sulphur; one brother, Royal Benn of Davis; as well as a many nieces and nephews.