Benny Richard Homsey

Benny Richard Homsey fell asleep to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, February 20, 2011. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Greenville, Texas on April 21, 1919 to Richard Simon Homsey and Edna Hafeetha "Mama Joe" Homsey. At the age of five his family moved to Depew, Oklahoma. Benny excelled academically at Depew High School and graduated a year early. He also played on the basketball team which won the State Championship in 1935. After graduating from Depew, Benny attended Bristow Junior College. His family then moved to Oklahoma City where Benny worked for Sooner Sales owned and operated by his uncle Zeak Nafieh. At age twenty two Benny was drafted into the army, completed his basic training at Fort Sill, and was stationed at Camp Barkley, Texas, special seventh class. He then was stationed at Fort Polk where he became a staff sergeant. After the military he returned to Oklahoma City where he started his own business traveling town to town selling candy and tobacco goods. In 1945 he and his brothers, Joe, Sam, Paul and Harry founded American Candy Company which later became American Mutual Company, commonly known as AMC, the first discount department store in Oklahoma City. In 1948 Benny met and married the love of his life Dolores Dean Rahill, whom he affectionately, to this day, calls "little girl." This dynamic couple was the life of the party and entertained at every function as Benny sang and Dolores played the piano. Together they raised three children and have nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren, who lovingly called him "Gigi". Benny was passionate about life, family and people. He never met a stranger, regardless of age or station in life; his compassion and interest in others was one of his most endearing qualities. He loved serving his community, with primary focus on his church, St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church where he served as Chairman of the Board numerous times. He was also active and prominent on the national level and served on the national board of trustees for many years. Among his many honors were the Antonian Award, the Genesis Award and the St. Ignatius Member of the Year Award. He was a successful business man with interests in banking, real estate and finance. After retiring from AMC he opened Classic Gifts where he continued his passion for retail sales. His hobbies included working out at Pacer Fitness Center where he made many friends and golfing with his buddies at the Greens Country Club. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Joe, Sam, Paul and Harry Homsey. He is survived by his wife Dolores of the home; his three children, son Gary Ben and his wife Sue Homsey, daughter Margot and her husband Jon Bayouth, and daughter Leslie and her husband Dr. Esber Scott Samara. In addition, Benny is survived by his nine grandchildren: Brittani, Kristin, Shea, Benjamin, Rachel, Hayden, Anna, Elizabeth and Juliana, and six great grandchildren: Claire, Kylee, Khloe, Vivien, George and Scottie. He is also survived by his two very close and loving sisters, Imogene Naifeh and Blanche David and sister-in-law Yevonne Homsey. He is also survived by over 50 nieces, nephews, cousins and many wonderful lifelong friends. His family would like to give special thanks to his dedicated physicians, Dr. V. Ramgopal, Dr. Charles Bethea, Dr. Lawrence Davis and his son-in-law Dr. Esber Scott Samara. The family would also like to acknowledge the dedication and love he received from his healthcare givers, Cora Cart, Judy Jackson and Melanie Pfannenstiel; and Amy Wilson from Integris Good Samaritan.