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 Theodore Charles & Pauline (Thomas) Benefiel

Posted by Jo Aguirre

Theodore Charles "Ted" Benefiel
Mar 17, 1917 - Jul 20, 2001

Ted was the son of Charles Theodore & Florence Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Schwennesen) Benefiel
 
He graduated from Lambert High School in 1935 and soon after that, he leased a service station in Cherokee, OK. He enjoyed learning to drive and work on cars at an early age. In 1931 along with seven other members of the family, he drove a great deal of the way when they went to California. He was only 14 but was an excellent driver.

 
On 13 June 1937, he was wed to Pauline Thomas at the Baptist Church in Cherokee. She was the daughter J. F. & Mary Ellen Thomas, of Alfalfa Co., OK. Born to this union were a daughter and son. 

Soon after opening the station, his ability was recognized, and he was asked to work for the Ford Garage at Cherokee. In 1938 he transferred to Enid where he was parts manager for that Ford Garage and the family lived there for 20 years. In 1959, he bought the Ford dealership in Okeene, and 9 years later they changed to the larger dealership in Purcell.

 He was president of the OK Automobile Assoc., and in 1979, was chosen by the National Automobile Dealers Assoc. & TIME Magazine as one of "68 distinguished automobile dealers" to be "recipients of the 10th annual TIME Magazine Quality Dealer Award." In 1976, he received a certificate and gift from OK State Tech in recognition of his services as a member of the automotive center advisory committee.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Paper: Enid News and Eagle (OK)
Deceased: Pauline Thomas Benefiel
Published 2-15-12
Date: February 14, 2012

ENID — Pauline Thomas Benefiel was born April 2, 1917, in Newcastle, Okla., to James Franklin Carpenter Thomas and Mary Ellen Thomas. She left this earth to be with her heavenly Father on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.

Pauline graduated from Cherokee (Okla.) High School in 1934.

She and her childhood sweetheart, Ted Benefiel, were married June 13, 1937. Their married life began in Enid, Okla., where Ted worked for the Ford dealership. Their two children, Sarah and Tom, were both born in Enid.

In 1959, they purchased the Ford dealership in Okeene, Okla. They made the decision to partner with their son, Tom, to buy the Ford dealership in Purcell, Okla., in 1968. Pauline always played an active part in the dealership.

Pauline and Ted were active members of First Baptist Church in Purcell.

She was an avid bridge player and accomplished in all needle arts. Travel played an important role in their life, but the time spent at Lake Texhoma with their family on the "Family Jewel" meant so much to them. Her family affectionately called her "Granny."

Pauline resided in McKinney, Texas, close to her daughter, Sarah, at the time of her death.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, her parents, as well as, two brothers and three sisters.

Pauline is survived by her daughter, Sarah McGreevy and husband Frank of McKinney, Texas; son, Tom and wife Helen of Norman, Okla.; grandchildren, Tod McGreevy and wife Margaret of McKinney, Texas, Jon McGreevy of Durant, Okla., Bryan Benefiel and wife Stacey of Peachtree City, Ga., Jason Benefiel and wife Cassie of Purcell, Okla., and Julie Ellis and husband Allen of Oklahoma City, Okla.; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service to celebrate her life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, in Purcell Cemetery. Arrangements are by TJM Funeral Home, McKinney, Texas. The family will receive visitors at the Benefiel home in Norman following the service.

The family suggests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church in Purcell, Okla.

(Submitted by family)

Author: Enid News & Eagle
Section: Death Notices

Copyright 2012, Enid News and Eagle / Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. (CNHI). All Rights Reserved.

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