Ben Doyle Jenkins' Obituary
Ben Doyle Jenkins was born on November 8, 1936, in McKinney, Texas, to Hubert D. Jenkins and Edna
Oleta Jenkins. The family later moved to Grand Prairie, Texas, where Ben graduated from Grand Prairie
High School. From there, he embarked on a life filled with adventure, accomplishment, and distinction.
Ben attended Southern Methodist University (SMU), graduating with honors and earning two
engineering degrees. That same year, he married SMU’s Head Cheerleader and Homecoming Queen.
During his time at SMU, he served as president of the Engineering School student council and was active
in numerous professional and campus organizations. He received the prestigious “M” Award—SMU’s
highest honor for student achievement—alongside Don Meredith. Ben was also a member of Cycen
Fjodr, an exclusive group of ten senior leaders. His academic excellence earned him a fellowship to
Harvard Business School, which he turned down to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.
After a brief engineering stint at Convair, Ben joined the U.S. Air Force and entered Officer Training
School at Lackland AFB. There, he served as Cadet Commander and graduated as a Distinguished
Graduate, ranking #2 in his class. He earned his wings at Vance AFB and remained there as an instructor,
where he was named “Best Instructor Overall” in his first class. Ben continued to excel, receiving
additional Distinguished Graduate honors during instructor training and at Squadron Officer School,
where he ranked among the top twenty of over 800 officers.
Ben, then a captain, left the Air Force in 1966 to begin a career as a commercial airline pilot, joining
Braniff International Airways. His career took him around the globe, including missions during the
Vietnam War. Never letting go of his dream to be a fighter pilot, Ben joined the U.S. Naval Reserve as a
lieutenant and flew F-8 Crusaders out of Dallas NAS. He was recognized in the Yuma Times for heroically
piloting a burning aircraft away from populated areas before ejecting safely in the desert—an act
described in a front-page article titled “Naval Aviator Diverts Disaster.” He later retired as a lieutenant
commander.
In addition to aviation, Ben had a side career in modeling and acting, appearing in television
commercials, print campaigns, and newspaper advertisements. He was once known as the “Sanger Harris Man,” featured in centerfold ads in The Dallas Morning News during the department store’s
heyday.
After Braniff’s bankruptcy, Ben joined Piedmont Airlines in North Carolina and eventually flew for US
Airways, where he retired from commercial aviation. Following his retirement, he embarked on a
successful second career as a real estate broker and investor, working in that field for two decades.
Ben is survived by his former wives, Gloria Jenkins and Lucinda Maples; his brothers, Tom Corry and
William Jenkins; his children, Laura Want, and Laird and Holly Jenkins; seven grandchildren—Joshua,
Todd, Corby, Chloe, Carissa, Christian, and Aiden; and five great-grandchildren—Ethan, Owen, Nora
Claire, Maysn, and Bailey.
Ben lived a life marked by ambition, service, and achievement. He will be remembered for his sharp
intellect, adventurous spirit, and unwavering dedication to his dreams.
What’s your fondest memory of Ben?
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