Ben McMahan Jr. was born February 3, 1933 in Tecumseh, OK to Ben McMahan Sr. and Sara Clementine (Elrod) McMahan. Ben grew up in Fort Gibson, OK. Ben graduated from high school and later served in the United States Army. He was employed for many years as a supervisor at Griffins Company in Muskogee, OK.

Ben had a soft spot for animals. He always enjoyed gardening and would always grow tomatoes to share with family and friends and plant flowers. On occasion he enjoyed coon hunting.

Ben was a family man. He loved to spend time with "his girls", his wife Mary and his daughters, as well as all his granddaughters and grandsons. They will remember him as a kind, Christian man who liked to joke around and tell stories.

Ben departed this life early Monday, April 19, 2021 at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, OK at the age of 88 years. His family was honored to be present for the "Walk of Honor" ceremony as he left the hospital. His was the first time the VA Center has been able to perform this recognition since the lifting of restrictions due to Covid-19.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Sarah McMahan; his first wife, Frances McMahan; four siblings, Virginia Hyden, Hubert McMahan, Betty Chitwood and Donald McMahan.

Survivors include his wife, Mary McMahan; two daughters, Debbie Wallace and husband, Nick and Amy Haitz and husband, Chad; step-daughter, Rhonda Frey and husband, Don; grandchildren, Christopher Wallace, Zachary Wallace, Tamara Parker, Melanie Jones, Emily Adams, Jennifer Ward and Miranda Goodwin; numerous great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry McMahan; many nieces and nephews; other extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Wednesday at Mallett Funeral Home in Wagoner.

Ben will be remembered at a funeral service at the First Baptist Church in Okay, OK at 10 am Thursday, April 22. Officiating will be the Reverend Bill Crow and the Reverend Ken Krepps.

Interment will be in Three Rivers Cemetery in Okay, OK. Pallbearers will be Christopher Wallace, Zachary Wallace, Charles McMahan, Rick Chitwood, Larry Smith and Dennis Dorr. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Hancock, Danny Epperson, Don Daniel, Don Dennis and Charlie Climer, deceased.

Those who wish to make memorial donations may send to: First Baptist Church, 7530 North 37th Street East, Okay, OK  74446.