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Submitted: 8/27/13 • Approved: 8/31/13 • Last Updated: 9/3/13 • R921672-G0-S3
US Army
December 15, 1944 - May 29, 2008
*Obituary
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas
Sunday, June 8, 2008
FARMINGTON — Bennie Florida, 63, of Farmington passed away Thursday, May 29, 2008, in Farmington. He was born Dec. 15, 1944, in Floral, the son of Matthew and Edna Brown Florida.
He graduated from Bernie High School in 1962, entered the U.S. Army in July of 1963. He was assigned to Fort Gordon, Ga., as a 19-year old soldier.
He was assigned to the U.S. Army Garrison at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., June 8 as a field radio repairman in the Garrison's Company B. He was an Electronics Specialist Assistant Site Chief in charge of four men and five RCA Technicians at one of four central offices located at White Sands Missile Range.
While in the Army, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Sharpshooter Rifle Sharpshooter Carbine. He was discharged from the U.S. Army in June of 1969 with an Honorable Discharge.
He attended Southern Illinois University in which he received a bachelor's of science and technology diploma in May of 1976 and also received Scholastic Honors while a member of the Sophomore Class of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale awarded on Honors Day 1974.
Bennie was an instrumentation specialist and in 1972, Bennie suffered an injury while working for Mobil Oil when he fell from a scaffold and paralyzed him (quadriplegic). After this injury Bennie pressed forward, entering college and graduating with honors, continued to work as he was employed by 3M Company in St. Paul, Minn. In 1980, he moved to Sara Vista, Ariz., and opened up the Sara Vista Medical Supplies.
He is survived by two daughters, Amy Wilson of Cassville, Mo., Beth Read of Tucson, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Billie-Jean Thomaston of Macon, Ga., Meagan Wilson of St. Louis, Cheyanne Read of Tucson, Thomas Stephens of Tucson; six brothers and sisters, Maxine Bauer, Verline Ridley, Fred Florida, Daniel Florida, Terry Florida and Jack Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Virgil and Roger Florida.
There will be no visitation.
To sign the online guest book, go to www.nelsonberna.com.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the First Baptist Church of Farmington with Pastor Berry Smith officiating.
Arrangements are by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville.
Contributed on 8/27/13 by wfields55
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Record #: 921672