Our Sympathies extended to the families of... Jon Stephen ‘Steve’ Benham

Jon Stephen ‘Steve’ Benham was born December 5, 1949 to Lloyd Newman Benham and Jo Mae (Johnson) Benham in Holdenville, OK. He passed from his earthly home in Carson, OK, and into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 12, 2021, with his adoring wife and daughter by his side.

Steve is survived by his wife Bonnie McCoy Benham of Carson; son James Benham, daughter-in-law Chastity, and granddaughters Patience and Georgia Mae of Owasso; daughter Jennifer Benham Williams, son-in-law Wayne and grandson Logan of Bethany; brothers Robert N. Benham and wife Jewel of Carson and Claude

Benham and wife Pat of Broken Arrow; sister-in-law Lana Benham of Russellville, AR; brother-in-law Bryan

McCoy of Tulsa; stepbrothers-in-law: Geron McGinnis and wife Julie of Broken Arrow; Kevin McGinnis and wife Sharla of Wagoner; Mick McGinnis and wife Nicole of Broken Arrow; and Chris McGinnis of San Diego; his dog Spanky of almost 14 years and his kitten Darla; plus, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents Newman and Jo Mae Benham of Carson; his older brother Joe Benham of Russellville; parents-in-law Burl James McCoy and Ruth (Watts) McCoy McGinnis of Broken Arrow; stepfather-in-law LtCol James G. McGinnis of Broken Arrow; brother-in-law Harold Bruce McCoy of Owasso; niece Robin Benham Cooper of Weleetka; nephew Derek Benham of Russellville; plus countless relatives and friends.

Steve attended Dustin Public Schools until his graduation from Dustin High School in 1968. He was well-loved

and respected in Dustin and very athletic, excelling in baseball and basketball. In early adulthood Steve moved to Tulsa where he worked for Sperry-Vickers (Tulsa Winch) as a machinist, during which time he met the love of his life Bonnie Gail McCoy. He used the St. Bernard puppy she was dog-sitting as an excuse to talk to her and it was love at first sight for them both. They were married three months later on November 23rd, 1973, at First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow where they attended. Steve bought the matchmaking St. Bernard named ‘Boogie’ who would go on to become a memorable part of their family for years to come.

Steve’s father Newman gave him 40 acres of Benham family land in Carson and in 1982 he moved his young family of four (plus Boogie) to Carson. Steve and Bonnie labored and toiled over clearing the land and built their new home in six months using a carpentry textbook and a “How to Build Your Own Home” book, plus plenty of help from relatives and friends. They loved their country lifestyle and did everything together as a family including gardening, cooking, canning, spending time with their animals, camping, going to the lake with family and enjoying nature.

Steve would eventually become a blocker bracer in the shipping department at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant where he would medically retire after 25 years of service. He was always disappointed that he was unable to serve his country during the Vietnam War due to failing his medical exam and considered his career at the Ammo Plant as a service to his country. He was proud of the fact that he and his McAAP teammates could “get ‘er done” when their country depended on them.

Steve had a knack for finding the most amazing rocks, fossils and pieces of wood and left behind a cherished collection including many rocks he found shaped like Oklahoma. He also made it his mission to collect heart-shaped rocks and build heart-shaped gardens for Bonnie because she was a Valentine’s Day baby. He loved guns and knives and when younger enjoyed hunting mushrooms, deer and wild turkey. As his health declined though he preferred enjoying nature and his beautiful surroundings by feeding and photographing the wildlife.

Steve and Bonnie loved entertaining and cooking together and Steve was especially gifted at barbecuing, smoking meat and making beef jerky chips. People always wanted him to prepare the meat for holidays and special occasions, and friends and family still rave about his food to this day. He was an actively involved father and beloved by his children’s school friends in Wetumka during the eighties and nineties, rarely ever missing a ballgame, recital, prom or school function, plus he became notorious for hiding with his chainsaw and scaring all the kids during Halloween parties. He adored and loved spending time with his pets, grand-dogs and especially his grandkids, going to as many of their events as possible until his health started declining. For several years before he became ill, he faithfully nursed and cared for Bonnie as she struggled through a debilitating period of her chronic illness. He would eventually become severely disabled and homebound, but he never complained and fought hard to make the most out of an unfortunate situation.

Steve was saved and baptized in 1957 at the age of 8 at Carson Baptist Church where he was an active member for most of his life, faithfully serving in the community for as long as he was physically able. He was kind, loyal, outgoing and tender-hearted, but he was also goofy, extremely funny and loved to make people laugh and feel good about themselves. He was dedicated to hard work and helping others, especially widowed neighbors and friends. Steve and Bonnie would’ve celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in November and they were inseparable until his last breath on this earth. His faith in Christ, selflessness, generosity, sense of humor, and ability to endure years of endless suffering with perseverance and dignity have left a lasting mark on anyone who ever knew or met him. Funeral services were held on October 16, 2021 at Carson Baptist with burial at Carson Cemetery.