Joe Benham

Joe Benham, 82, of Kerrville, Texas, died on Thursday, June 30, 2016. A native Texan, Army veteran, lover of history and literature, and active journalist for 65 of his 82 years, Joe was committed to his family, community and faith, and will be sorely missed.\r\n\r\nBorn on March 13, 1934 to Buell and Lucille Benham of Amarillo, Texas, Joe embarked a lifelong career in journalism, working for the Amarillo Times as a sportswriter and general news reporter while still in high school. Moving to Dallas, he worked for the Dallas Times Herald and the Associated Press from 1953-1954, before joining the US Army in 1954. From 1954-1958, Joe served as an infantry platoon sergeant and an Air Defense command public information supervisor before retiring on disability. \r\n\r\nReturning to civilian life and his passion for news, Joe rejoined the AP in Austin in 1959, covering everything from sports to storms to President Eisenhower's visit to Mexico. The AP moved him to New York in 1962, where he covered the United Nations, and then to Santiago, Chile, in 1965 as bureau chief for Chile and Bolivia. While in Santiago, Joe met and married Verna Benham, with whom he shared more than 48 years of marriage, two children, and four grandchildren.\r\n\r\nJoining U.S. News & World Report in 1967, Joe spent the next 13 years covering South America, based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina before returning to his beloved Texas in 1980 as regional bureau chief for U.S. News, based in Houston. The 1980s and 1990s saw Joe covering a variety of stories for U.S. News and local Houston outlets, while raising his children, Stephanie and David, serving his community, and playing an active role in the Kingwood United Methodist Church.\r\n\r\nMoving to the Hill Country in 1998, Joe wrote for the Kerrville Daily Times and served as volunteer publicist for a half-dozen non-profits in the area. \r\n\r\nWhile journalism was clearly a passion, service to others was also of vital importance to Joe. His volunteer service included roles as president, American Community in Argentina; vice chairman, Kingwood Volunteer Fire Dept; secretary and director, Harris County Utility District; secretary, Kingwood Public Safety Committee; former director, Hill Country Youth Orchestra; president, Symphony of the Hills Assn., Kerrville; president, Hill Country Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution; president, Friends of the Kerrville Library; and chairman, various committees of the Kerrville Rotary Club. In recognition of his service, and that of his wife, Joe and Verna each were recognized with the 2016 Life's Treasures award in June of this year.\r\n\r\nMost importantly Joe Benham was devoted to and loved by his family. He is survived by his wife of more than 48 years, Verna Benham, his daughter, Stephanie Benham-Dickey, married to David Dickey, with daughters Dallas and Madeleine, and his son, David Benham, married to Bennet Benham, with sons JB and Dax. \r\n\r\nFuneral services will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at 10 AM, at the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Rob Lohmeyer officiating. A reception then will be held at Ryan Hall, First Presbyterian. A private burial service will follow. \r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Red Cross or the Wounded Warrior Project.