Bennie Ray Homer

Bennie Ray Homer, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 13 after a long and full life.

Ben was born on April 5, 1936 in Hollis Oklahoma, the second of 4 children of Harmon and Marjorie Homer. He grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Central High School. After graduation, Ben served in the 45th Infantry of the Army National Guard and worked for Research Oil. That's where he met the love of his life, LaVeta Colton. She thought he was a "cocky big city boy" but he quickly won her over and they married in 1957. They raised 3 sons and a daughter and celebrated over 66 beautiful years together. Ben and LaVeta were wonderful parents who never missed a ballgame or school event.

He joined the Benham Blair architectural & engineering firm in 1962 where he spent 36 years as head of the Graphic Arts Department and worked his way up to VP. He traveled the country shooting award-winning photos of buildings the firm designed. His photos were published in major magazines in the industry.

Ben was a true renaissance man. He played the drums in a jazz band and shared his love of hunting with his sons, grandsons and great grandsons. He built rifles for all of them that will be passed down for generations. Ben also won several championships in bench shooting and was ranked nationally into his 80s. He developed a passion for cars as a kid, winning go-cart championships and later racing his Mini Cooper at Hallett Raceway and several Auto Cross events across Oklahoma. He loved Indy Car Racing, so LaVeta and the kids sent him to the Indianapolis 500 for his 70th birthday. He also loved Formula 1 and in 2012, Ben attended the first US Grand Prix in Austin with his favorite daughter Michelle, or as he called her "Shellybelle."

Ben is survived by his wife LaVeta; sons, Barry and wife Kathy, Brad and wife Diane, and Blair; daughter, Michelle; 8 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind brother, Ken and wife Kim; sister, Sandra and husband Ed, and several nieces and nephews, as well as many other beloved family members and dog Chloe. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Monette.

We will celebrate Ben's life at 1 p.m. on March 23 at Town and Country Christian Church in Yukon, with interment following at New Home Cemetery, Dover, OK. The viewing is from 6p-8p on March 22 at Yanda & Son Funeral Home.

We also would like to thank the compassionate team from Legacy Family Hospice and the caring staff at Spanish Cove who took such good care of Dad in his final days.