Benjamin Franklin Bullock

Benjamin Franklin Bullock, Jr. passed peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas on November 17, 2017 of natural causes.  He was 85-years-old.

Ben was born May 13, 1932 in Gretna, Louisiana just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.  He was raised there by his father, Benjamin Sr. and mother (Ruth) Panola (nee Barnett) in the company of his younger brother Richard and sister Damaris, surrounded by extended family and a colorful cast of friends and neighbors.  In his working class neighborhood where people struggled during the height of the Great Depression, Ben developed a strong appreciation for family ties, hard work, and a deeply-held Christian faith that together defined his character.  He also learned how to listen to and tell stories, especially at table among people who were grateful for another home-cooked meal and happy in each other’s company.  He spoke fondly and often of those times, which contributed to his most notable traits: good humor, optimism, trust, openness, generosity and, above all, unbridled joy in sharing good food and fellowship with others.  His other prominent memories revolved around hunting and fishing trips with the men folk, and fishing remained a lifelong passion he shared with his family and children. Ben was an avid reader and often settled into a comfortable chair with his favorite author, Mark Twain. His favorite topics to research and discuss were the Bible and science, especially how they interrelated.

After graduating from Gretna High School after he had just turned 16, Ben worked in a local bank for a couple of years before joining the Army during the Korean War. He obtained the rank of Corporal and served at the army base in Fort Riley, Kansas, where he was hand-picked to train soldiers in marksmanship. Ben was the first member of his immediate family to enter college, attending LSU on the G.I. Bill.  While in school, he courted and won the affections of Gloria Haynie, a daughter of his childhood pastor, and they were married in December, 1955. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1957 with a B.B.S. in Accounting and Finance and immediately began work in Baton Rouge with Esso.  His children were born in Baton Rouge: Brad in 1957 and Susan in 1959.  Ben moved his family to Houston in 1963 where he began employment with Honeywell; he then finished his career at Houston Lighting & Power. The Bullocks’ lives centered on the people and activities of South Main Baptist Church, where Gloria was both pianist and organist.  Ben and Gloria loved hearing, playing, and singing music, and their most cherished friends were fellow SMBC choir members. Ben was personable with all, and he never failed to value, befriend and speak to people whom others usually ignore: cooks, servers, physical laborers and custodial workers.

When Gloria died from cancer in 1985, Ben remained in Houston. In 1987, Ben married his second love, Sammie Jackson Booher, who survives him after nearly 30 years of marriage.  Ben is also survived by his children Susan and Brad, four grandchildren, Sammie’s son David, his children and grandchildren.  He shared with them all, openly and often, a profound and unconditional love.

All will miss his considerable wit and wisdom, his enthusiasm for life and its simple pleasures, his dry and wicked sense of humor, and his infectious love and compassion for the people in his life.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Ben’s life on Friday, December 15th at 11:00 AM, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church located at 11612 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX  77024 (Just west of Blalock St.)  In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations in his honor to The American Cancer Society.

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