Barry W Benefield

Oklahoma City resident, Barry Benefield, passed away Friday, December 1, 2023, in Oklahoma City.

Barry, the son of Walter “Loyd” and Margaret (Weldon) Benefield, was born December 28, 1942.  Barry graduated from NW Classen High School with the class of 1960.  He then attended law school at the University of Oklahoma and became a member of the American Bar Association on August 15, 1967.  After completing law school, he worked on a project in New Jersey, where he fought against discrimination for all individuals.  He worked for the Oklahoma Indian Legal Services.  His heart was with the Native American Center, helping Native Americans all over the world with legal matters.   Barry was scheduled to be awarded this month, for having the longest active license within the Oklahoma BAR Association.   He watched the news religiously, both state and national.  He enjoyed collecting penquins and art deco, listening to blues music, and growing his hibiscus plants, and he truly loved being an attorney and helping people.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Berniece; brother, Jim Benefield; infant sister, Ann Benefield; daughters, Tessa Howard and Terry Pena; grandsons, Justin and Nathan Howard, and Robert Murphy Jr. and Derrick Scott Murphy; and son-in-law, Robert Murphy Sr.

Barry is survived by his daughters, Jalena Murphy of Ada, Felicia Hill of Sasakwa, Larue Benefield of Oklahoma City, Larena Benefield of Oklahoma City, Shawana Hill of McLoud, and Lori Moser of Enid; a brother, Kim Benefield; sons-in-law, Phillip Howard of Little Axe, and Scott Hanks of Sasakwa; grandchildren, Nowell Aguilera, Felipe Aguilera, Vicente Aguilera, Sasha Murphy, Shawana Hill-Smith, Anthony Eckles, Aleah Wood, Tesha Howard, David Benefield, Tay Marks, Amanda Irving, Stephanie Benefield, Andrew Benefield, Samantha Benefield, Danielle Benefield, Lester Benefield, Tara Benefield, and Stephanie Hanks and Lydia Hanks; great grandchildren, Derrick Smith Jr., Riley Smith, Robert Smith, Zane Smith, Jason Soto, Felipe Aguilera, Della Aguilera, Vicente Aguilera, Reagan Aguilera, Yasamine Aguilera, McKenzie Hanks, David Hanks, Jazzlyn Hanks, Alicia Hill, Isaac Hill, Taya Hill, Mela Hill, Andrea Eckles, Anthony Eckles Jr., Milani Wood, Meadow Wood, Amontre Pool, Ameleo Hayes, Ameleana Hayes, Achaffa Hayes, Anthony Eckles, Andrea Eckles, Elon Eckles, Isaac Eckles, Ava Rosales, Madison Rosales, Ethan Rosales, Dominique Roofener, Dasha Roofener, Danielle Roofener, Kesha Pena, Anthony Pena, and Marcia Pena; one great great grandchild, Caden Marks; and many other family and friends.

Casket bearers will be Albert Ghezzi, Kent Larason, Doug Parr, Mike Sulfer, Henry Littlebird, and Weasley Stentson.  Honorary casket bearers are, Richard Whitman and Toby Robles.

There will be a wake service Monday, December 4, at the home of Barry’s daughter, Jalena Murphy, at 631 W 7th Street, in Ada.

Graveside service is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at Bird Creek Cemetery in Sasakwa.  Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.