Chester Bench

Chester L. Bench, of Terrell, passed away peacefully on the evening of June 19, 2024 with his devoted family at his side. He was born July 7, 1944 to Newman and Evelyn Bench, both of whom joyfully welcomed him into Heaven to be reunited with other family and friends who have also gone before. After graduating from Garland High School, Chester then attended Abilene Christian University where he received a Bachelor's degree in 1966. He moved to Terrell in 1973 where he became the manager for Hunt/Lamar Ranches. After several years of dedicated service to the Ranch, Chester worked with SECO Overhead Crane where his ability to capably operate projects and their completion gave him the knowledge base to start his own company OMi Cranes, in 1980. Shortly after starting OMi, Chester met the love of his life Susan. They knew from the beginning that they would build a happy life together. On October 7, 1985 Chester married Susan and for the next four decades they would fill their lives with love, spending time with each other and their family. Chester developed his company and solidified his reputation as the “go to” authority for all overhead lifting needs. OMi was considered innovative for its time as Chester’s vision was for his company to be a complete provider of cranes and a function customized to each specific project’s need. Chester expected a lot from himself and in turn those around him followed his example and would meet the goals set for them. In time, Chester realized that his vision was in great hands with the team that he had trained and so he sold OMi. Chester and Susan bought a ranch in Oklahoma to enjoy life, their kids, grandkids and many friends as they came to visit. While in Oklahoma, Chester served on the board of the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association, a position that he enjoyed as he formed many friendships with local growers and distributors of a tree that Chester, himself, loved to grow in his many orchards. In 2021, they sold the Oklahoma ranch and moved back to Terrell to be closer to family and longtime friends. Chester loved to attend rodeos and his fond memories of participation in rodeo events in his high school and college years ensured that he would always be ready and willing to go to the Mesquite Rodeo and local arenas to see the new generation of cowboys and cowgirls as they, too, competed in events Chester remembered so well. This love of rodeo continued with Curtis, Jodi and his grandkids. Countless miles were driven so they could participate in rodeos, riding bulls, barrel racing, so they could do what they loved. The memories of their rodeo days, and time spent together as a family, will forever be cherished. These memories also included PaPa and GiGi cheering on their grandkids at baseball, softball, volleyball, and football games. Chester's work ethic and his determination was a building block of who he became and his example of these characteristics were built on a solid foundation of the love he had for the ones he held most dear: his family. The life lessons that he taught his children and grandchildren and the love he showed them will never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed and remembered forever by everyone whose lives he touched. He leaves his legacy of unconditional love to be carried on by his wife of over 40 years, Susan Bench; children: Curtis Spain and wife, Tina, Jodi Rabal and husband, Justin, and Timothy Bench; grandchildren: Madalyn, Mason, Cade, Mabry and Carlee; sister, Clarice Segala and husband, John as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Funeral service for Chester will be at 6:00pm, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel with his family receiving friends beginning at 5:00pm to service time. For those wishing, the family asks that memorials be made to St Jude Hospital for Children at www.stjude.org.

Tributes

Chester Bench

July 7, 1944 - June 19, 2024