Colonel Ben Dell Qualls' Obituary
QUALLS, COLONEL BEN DELL, 68, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Ben was born on May 24, 1944 in Rover, Arkansas. He was raised in Lindsay, CA and graduated from Lindsay High School in 1962. After graduation, he attended Fresno Business College. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1964 and after three years as an enlisted E5, he entered Officers Candidate School. He was graduated from helicopter flight school in 1971. As a helicopter pilot in command, he was highly decorated and awarded the Federal Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service as the maintenance officer and test pilot for Company B 40th AVN BN. He was awarded the Army commendation medal as an honor graduate from aircraft maintenance and test pilot school. He rose to full bird Colonel retiring from the Arizona Army National Guard in 1994. In addition to his military service, Ben’s career consisted of owning his own custom pool building company as well as being the owner of a manufacturer’s representative sale company in both Tucson, AZ and Laguna Hills, CA. He moved to the Dallas area in 1998, residing in Flower Mound, continuing with his entrepreneurial spirit in both construction sales and the promotional goods business. Ben was an avid hunter, fisherman and a true lover of the outdoors, with a great appreciation of the spiritual aspect of nature. He touched everyone he met with his genuine spirit, quick smile and could always be counted on to tell a great story. He was preceded in death by parents Ralph and Mae Qualls and brothers Sennet and Fred Qualls. He is survived by his wife, Sherri Qualls and children, Kylee Qualls of Seattle, WA and Chad Thomas of Dallas, TX; sister Mary Gum and husband Francis of Lindsay, CA, seven nephews and one niece and great nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends on Monday, April 1st 2013 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Restland Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Restland Memorial Chapel, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Honor Flight of DFW, 10455 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75231 or Oklahoma Honor Flight, P.O. Box 10492, Midwest City, OK 73140.
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