Oscar E. Bennight

Oscar E. Bennight was born on December 28, 1945, in Headrick, Oklahoma to Marvin and Ida (Hals) Bennight. He was a proud member of the first graduating class of Navajo High School in 1964. During his school years, Oscar made a name for himself as a standout baseball player, serving as both catcher and pitcher for Navajo and being selected as an All-Stater. As part of the All-Stars South team, he helped lead them to a championship victory–an accomplishment that spoke to his exceptional talent and love for the game.

After high school, Oscar continued his education and baseball career at Cameron University, where he played at the collegiate level and earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. While teaching, Oscar returned to school at night to earn his master’s degree in Elementary Administration–a testament to his commitment to education and personal growth. He went on to dedicate 33 years of his life to the public school system as an elementary principal.

In 1976, Oscar married Ina V. Paslay in Reno, Nevada. They were flown to Reno by Oscar’s oldest sibling, J.C., in a 4-seater airplane. The couple settled in Oscar’s beloved southwest Oklahoma, where they raised their five children and built a life filled with love, laughter, and happiness.

Farming was in Oscar’s blood from a young age, and he never lost his love for the land. He kept a garden every year and was well-known for his green thumb and beautiful vegetables. Over the years, he sold produce to United Supermarket and had several vegetable stands, as well as happily sharing with family and friends. He spent many enjoyable hours plowing, planting, and cultivating on the tractors that he loved. He had many tractors over the years, but his favorites were always his vintage Fords.

Oscar had many enjoyments in life. He was an avid fan of OU football and women’s softball, Thunder basketball, and Texas Rangers baseball. His simple pleasures in life included sweet tea, Dr. Pepper, Snickers, fried potatoes, hardtack, and smelling the roses. A few of his favorite things were tinkering in his garage on his current classic Mustang project, reading and watching Westerns, and taking his boat out to go fishin’. He never met a stranger at the lake!

After retirement, Oscar’s favorite pastime became his new occupation: buying, selling, and collecting vintage Ford car parts. He was very knowledgeable and resourceful, and his hobby was able to support itself, with enough left over for a new tractor here and there. He always looked forward to each and every upcoming swap meet and finding a new, great salvage yard. He was known to travel far and wide to make this happen and met many lifelong friends along the way!

A devoted member of the Elm & Hudson Church of Christ, Oscar lived a life rooted in faith, family, and hard work. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Judy E. Bennight; son, Michael Lynn Bennight; siblings, Melvina Huddleston, Boyd Bennight, Michael Bennight, Marvin Bennight, and James Bennight; nieces, Jamie Bennight and Darla Antonsen; and nephew, David Tabb.

Oscar’s legacy will live on in his wife of 49 years, Ina; children, Beth Baldwin and husband, Frankie Baldwin of Goldsby, Renee Thompson and husband, Dr. Travis Thompson of Noble, Dr. Angus Black of OKC, and Dr. Bob Williams and wife, Marianna of Guymon; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; siblings, J.C. Bennight of Boise, ID, Mark Bennight and wife, Annette of Altus, Pat Edwards of Mannford, Darlene Wilson of Altus, Gladys Hand of Altus, Beverly Tabb and husband, Robert of Altus, and Euletta Harold of Holland, MI; and countless nieces, nephews, former students, and friends.

The family will formally greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday, May 20th. Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Wednesday, May 21st in the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Daniel Ingram officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Navajoe Cemetery.

The service livestream may be viewed at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0NzQxNzg3OTM2MjkxNyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==. Online memorial tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.