Olen Junior (Emmit) Bench's Obituary
Olen Junior (Emmit) Bench, of Jasper, TX, formerly of Pampa, TX, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025 in Jasper at the age of 93 years, 5 months and 15 days.
Graveside services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Shamrock Cemetery in Shamrock, TX, with Rev. Thacker Haynes and Jerry Tomaschik officiating. Viewing and visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Shamrock, TX.
Olen was born June 28, 1932 east of Pleasant Grove Cemetery in a farmhouse on Indian land in Tupelo, OK to Emmit and Eula (Doyal) Bench. He was a registered member of the Choctaw Nation. He left school after the eighth grade to work in the fields to help support his family.
After leaving the farm, Olen worked for American Red Ball Trucking, hauling cargo coast to coast. He later worked in the oil and gas industry, including employment with J.E. Carlson in Pampa, TX and Flint Engineering—first in Pampa and later across the country. He completed his career with CGI, serving as a consultant. Throughout his working years, Olen helped build gas plants and compressor stations. Olen enjoyed fishing as a young man, cooking and occasionally watching sports, but his greatest passion was gardening. He generously shared fresh vegetables with neighbors each year and enjoyed canning the produce he grew. In his later years, he also raised chickens.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Sue Bench; his parents, Emmitt and Eula Bench; his brothers, James Velton Bench, Jerry Lee Bench, and Bennie Eli Bench; his sister, Ima Jean Sweazea; his daughter-in-law, Shirley Gathers; and his son-in-law, Bob Garcia.
Olen is survived by his children, Sonny Gathers of Hinton, OK; Tim and Judy Allen of Fairfield, TX; Sherry Garcia of Dallas, TX; Ray Bench and Liz Chase of Kirbyville, TX; Carlton Bench of Kirbyville; and Cyndy and Jerry Tomaschik of Pampa, TX; Grandchildren, Cory and Melissa Gathers of Hinton, OK; Matthew and Allison Garcia of Charlotte, NC; Wesley and Gabbie Allen of Houston, TX; Kevin and Heidi Needham of Pampa, TX; Shelby and Dakota Gilleland of Abilene, TX; Hannah Gathers of Hinton, OK; Lukas and Courtny Garcia of Irving, TX; Maggie and Colt Carlisle of Dallas, TX; Montanya and Ramiro Ramirez of Maricopa, AZ; Rachael and Taylor Grauel of San Jose, CA; Nicole Bench of Maricopa, AZ; Great-grandchildren, Asher Gathers; Alyssa and Reece Cofer; Dagen Boling; Roman Allen; Sophia Allen; Leighton Garcia; Sebastian Garcia; Margot Garcia; Crawford Carlisle; Campbell Carlisle; Dior Pearson; Belen Ramirez; Alek Ramirez; Desirae Ramirez; Charlie Gilleland; and Maddie Gilleland; and Great-great-grandchild, Ada Boling.
Pallbearers will be Cory Gathers, Matthew Garcia, Lukas Garcia, Wesley Allen and Kevin Needham. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ramiro Ramirez, Taylor Grauel, Dakota Gilleland and Colt Carlisle.
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