Ben Perry McPherson

Clifford and Frankie McPherson crossed the Red River from Warika, Oklahoma to Wichita Falls, Texas for the delivery of their first born child, Ben Perry. Clifford was a manager for various ranches in South Central Oklahoma and North Texas. Ben grew up around horses, helping with the branding of cattle, hunting on his own and driving a truck being barely able to touch the pedals and see over the dashboard. When he got old enough to need a little pocket change, he would go into town and polish folks shoes. He loved the knife his grandfather gave him and taught him to use. He had one in his pocket if he had pants on. He wore mostly cowboy boots his whole life. Bought many pairs at flea markets and thrift stores, polished them, made them look like new. He continued this art through the years by doing it for granddaughters, friends, whoever needed their boots renewed. When he could no longer wear them, he gifted his grandson Griffin with a couple pairs. He never complained of the modest living of his childhood. To the end, one of his favorite meals was beans and cornbread. 

Ben was also a reader from youth to the end. Louis L’ Amour, one of his favorites. He graduated from Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, Texas with a degree in history and English. Taught middle school kiddos in the Plainview area and Houston. His entrepreneurial talents blossomed as he started his own painting/wallpaper business in Houston. In a move to the metroplex area, he found his place serving various local churches and editing Christian publications. Then a move to Tyler where he finished a graduate degree in education at East Texas State University in Commerce. True to his hands-on fix it instincts, he attended Tyler Junior College where he got a degree in HVAC, printed his own business cards and started his own business. Soon after, he returned to Tyler Junior College where he taught beginning classes in the HVAC. Ben married Sharon. Together they bought 80 acres near Brownsboro, had 4 dogs and some cattle which they named and after three years, packed up dogs and cattle and moved to Oklahoma to build houses in the country. After 7 years they headed back to Texas, Weatherford, where eventually, making a living with home building was successful. Becoming a part of the beautiful community that is Weatherford, Ben found his final earthly home and resting place. He died at home smothered in the love of his family. Ben loved people and people loved him. 

Ben is survived by Sharon, his wife of 32 years; his daughter, Cindy; and his son James; six grandchildren, Amalia, Griffin, Claire, Hannah, Samantha, and Fiona, Sarah and Brian Shannon, Joel and Dawn Coleman; his sister, Ethylene; and his brother, Mack. 

Our most gracious Heavenly Father took him home on the Sabbath day, August 25, 2024 for his final rest.