Benny Fred Molina's Obituary
Ben (Benny) Fred Molina, 84, of Mesquite, Texas, passed away surrounded by his loved ones, on Sunday, January 6, 2019, in Mesquite, Texas. He married Beatrice Hernandez on October 26, 1958, in Dallas, Texas and recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. He was a Stage Manager and Lighting Director, at KDFW-TV, for 55 years. He served in the U. S. Army. He is survived by Beatrice Molina, of Mesquite, Texas, Sons, Michael and Pat Molina of Mesquite, Texas, Daughter, Michele Hazle and Son-in-law, Tony of Argyle, Texas, Daughters, Marianna and Melissa Molina of Dallas, Texas. Grandsons Matthew Molina and spouse, Tami, of Denton, Texas and Brent Molina of Mesquite, Texas. Granddaughters, Meagan Cooper, of Dallas, Texas, Nicole Scott and spouse, Marcus, of Mesquite, Texas and Ashley Hazle of Weatherford, Texas. Great-grandchildren, Hannah and Maxon Molina; Valerie, Anthony and Benjamin Molina; and Aiden and Kaison Scott.In 1954, television was an exciting new medium, KRLD-TV which later became KDFW-TV, had been on the air for five years. It was this same year, when the station hired a young man named Ben Molina. Benny, as his friends call him, was hired as a studio hand, but his love was floor directing or “stage managing” as it came to be known. It was a job and a station he would retire from after forty-six years, only to return to and continue to work part-time, totaling fifty-five years. He was an inspiration to all KDFW-TV employees. Ben met and worked with a half-dozen U.S. presidents during station interviews. He was on hand for the Eisenhower funeral, and worked tirelessly around the clock during the hours and days following the Kennedy assassination.Outside of the station, Ben was a regular on CBS network television crews. For more than twenty years, Ben was the “white glove man” on the sidelines of all local Dallas Cowboys games. The white glove man is a position that notifies game officials when it is time for a “television time-out”, and indicates to officials when the commercials are over and the game is once again on air. Ben was also a CBS main-stay on crews in locations across the country including the Cotton Bowl, the Sun Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl.In 1986, new portable satellite technology allowed KDFW to take its newscasts on the road in a big way. For the entire month of May, KDFW moved its entire anchor team, and dozens of support people, around to all corners of Texas, broadcasting newscasts live from a different city or remote location each night. It was one of the most ambitious projects in station history, and thousands of viewers followed along on the journey. And of course, Ben was there managing crews and stage-managing newscasts.In 1989, Ben was Constable for Dallas County for two years. He thoroughly enjoyed serving his community and received several letters of Commendation.In 2007, Ben was inducted into the Emmy Gold Circle, which honors media professionals who began their careers in television at least 50 years ago and made a significant contribution to the Lone Star Chapter television.In Ben’s free time, he had a love and passion for Golf, fishing, hunting and spending time with his loved ones. He had a wonderful sense of humor and charming personality. He will be forever missed and forever loved by all that knew him.Visitation for Benny will be on Friday, January 11, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 12:30 PM in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
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