Ben Jack

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith

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Ben ODell
Posts: 813
Joined: 27 Apr 2000 12:01 am
Location: Agricola, Mississippi, USA

Ben Jack

Post by Ben ODell »

Just got a call from friends telling me, Ben Jack passed away, in Arkansas yesterday at 1:00 pm.

Rest in Peace,,,,, "GOD HAS AQUIRED ANOTHER GREAT ONE"
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Jerry Overstreet
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Joined: 11 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Louisville Ky

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

I'm sad to hear this news. Rip Ben.
Condolences to the family and close friends.
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ray qualls
Posts: 2980
Joined: 6 Feb 1999 1:01 am
Location: Baxter Springs, Kansas (deceased)

Post by ray qualls »

So sad to hear this news! I've known Ben since the early 70's and he was always very polite. He was also one of the great players of steel guitar. My condolences to his wife Shirl and family. They came to our show in October of 2008 and really had a good time and they came for two days. Gonna miss you my Friend! Ray
Last edited by ray qualls on 7 Nov 2009 12:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ray Qualls
Member(KSGA)
Inducted into KSGA
Steel Guitar Hall of Fame 2008
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Hook Moore
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: South Charleston,West Virginia

Post by Hook Moore »

My condolences..
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Herb Steiner
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Post by Herb Steiner »

Oh no, this is really sad. Ben was a good, good friend to me. I wish Shirl the best and am praying for her. Many condolences to the family.

Another reason why I hate opening "Gone Home." :(
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Terry Wood
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Joined: 2 Mar 2000 1:01 am
Location: Lebanon, MO

Post by Terry Wood »

Sorry to hear this. I just had correspondence with Ben a couple months ago.

He produced some of the finest steel guitar LPS ever, one was titled "Steel Trek," by his good friend the late Bob White.

May GOD give HIS peace to the family and friends.

Terry Wood
Jerry Knapper
Posts: 679
Joined: 23 Feb 2002 1:01 am
Location: Lakeland, Florida , USA

Close Friend

Post by Jerry Knapper »

It was quite a surprise to hear of Ben's Passing today. Ben has been a very good friend and supporter of the steel guitar and entire music world. I have called on him for 22 years as a client and gained much respect for him during those years. I will miss him greatly. Carol and I will certainly be remembering Shirley and all those close to him who also have experienced this loss.
Ben Elder
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Joined: 4 Mar 2004 1:01 am
Location: La Crescenta, California, USA

Post by Ben Elder »

My condolences to the family. I'd had notions of seeking out Ben sometime when I was back visiting family "next door" in Oklahoma. B. Greg Jones' list of Scranton ZBs shows that this D-11 of mine was originally sold to Ben Jack in 1968. (Whether as a personal instrument or as a dealer, I don't know.)

Image Image

Image Image
"Gopher, Everett?"
Jerry Knapper
Posts: 679
Joined: 23 Feb 2002 1:01 am
Location: Lakeland, Florida , USA

Message from www.benjacks.com

Post by Jerry Knapper »

REST IN PEACE BEN JACK
Today we mourn the loss of our beloved leader Ben Jack who unexpectedly passed away Friday November 6th. A graveside service for friends and family will be held at Gill Cemetary in Van Buren, AR at 2pm Monday November 9th. Flowers may be sent to Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Hwy., Van Buren, AR 72956 (479)474-5081. In lieu of flowers memoriums may be made to The American Cancer Society or any local animal shelter. Our stores in Fayetteville and Bentonville will both be closed Monday so that our employees can pay their respects. We resume normal business Tuesday at 10am
Bob Dell
Posts: 548
Joined: 12 Jul 1999 12:01 am
Location: Siloam Springs,Ar. 72761 (deceased)

ben jacj

Post by Bob Dell »

b0b
Sorry for posting in the wrong section. I worked for Ben and he was a gentleman "DELUXE"! I have a very strong respect for Ben.
Sorry for my screw up. I'll try to watch it in the future.
Bob Dell
Jody Sanders
Posts: 7055
Joined: 12 Apr 2000 12:01 am
Location: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

Post by Jody Sanders »

Another one of the good guys gone. This is indeed a sad time. May GOD bless, comfort and keep his family always. Jody.
Michael Breid
Posts: 912
Joined: 3 Feb 2005 1:01 am
Location: Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

Post by Michael Breid »

Ben was such a great inspiration to fledging steel guitarists like myself. He once took me through his steel guitar museum at his store in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He told me what to look for when I bought a steel, and what improvements were made over the years. The brands to buy that the pros use. He was a wealth of steel guitar information. He always answered my dumbest questions, and always encouraged me to "go for it and stay with it". My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. I'll miss you a bunch buddy. RIP Mr. Ben.
Mike Spaeth
Posts: 390
Joined: 19 Oct 1998 12:01 am
Location: Springdale, Arkansas

re

Post by Mike Spaeth »

What a shock, I was just in the store last week.He will be missed.
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Roy Rosetta
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Nederland, Texas.. On the Texas Gulf Coast

Post by Roy Rosetta »

Ben was a super nice friend our ours. Rest in peace our friend and our condolences to his family.
...Roy and Barbara
Music is a "gift" with many wrappings....
....Roy
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Norma Jean Lucas
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Joined: 10 Aug 2005 12:01 am
Location: siloam springs ar

Post by Norma Jean Lucas »

I too was saddened to hear of Ben's passing. I enjoyed visiting he and Shirley at the different conventions. My prayers goes out to Shirley and family. Just enjoy all the memories Ben has given to everyone. He was a true gentleman.
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Bill Stafford
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Joined: 16 Oct 1999 12:01 am
Location: Gulfport,Ms. USA

Ben Jack

Post by Bill Stafford »

Sosad to hear this. Ben always cheered us all up and was one delightful person in this world. He will be missed. Condolences to all in his family and to Ben O'Dell and his family too for this loss.
Bill Stafford
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Lana Rosselli
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Joined: 29 Nov 2004 1:01 am
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Post by Lana Rosselli »

I haven't been on the Forum in a while. I'm scared to half the time. May the Lord comfort the family as they move thru these days without Ben.
Miss Lana
SteelRadio.com
Dana Stewart
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Joined: 13 Feb 2006 1:01 am
Location: Kansas, USA

Post by Dana Stewart »

We are saddened to hear this news. Our prayers will be with the family.

The Stewarts
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bruce fischer
Posts: 2201
Joined: 2 Feb 1999 1:01 am
Location: florissant, mo. 63031 USA

Post by bruce fischer »

may the Lord comfort the jack family at this sad time. bruce & lynn
john buffington
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Joined: 9 Oct 1999 12:01 am
Location: Owasso OK - USA

Post by john buffington »

What a shock to find this out! Being from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Ben Jack became one of my early hero's along with Jerry Roller in the steel guitar world. The very first pedal steel guitar I owned, was a BeJay built by Ben. It was comparable to a Sho-Bud permanent. Ben always had time for me anytime we were in the area. He and Shirley are a class act of people, very real, very genuine! We have lost another treasure in the steel guitar world. Ben had done sessions at one time I think with Opry star Ray Pillow and others. My family and I send our deepest sympathies to Shirley and the rest of the Ben Jack family.
John Buffington and family
Reece Anderson
Posts: 2218
Joined: 21 Jun 1999 12:01 am
Location: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Post by Reece Anderson »

Ben was one of the finest men I have ever known. May God bring Sheryl comfort and peace in this time of great sorrow.
Jerry Lee Newberry
Posts: 2748
Joined: 1 Apr 2001 1:01 am
Location: Prim, AR USA

Post by Jerry Lee Newberry »

So sorry to hear this news. We have know Ben and Shirley for a LONG time. HE will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Family.


Donna & Jerry
Rob Parker
Posts: 1771
Joined: 17 Apr 2000 12:01 am
Location: Paducah, Kentucky, R.I.P.

Post by Rob Parker »

So sad,
Mr Ben was a great friend for many years. I was always glad to see him and chat with him.
The music world has lost another great one.
My thoughts and prayers for Miss Shirley, and their family ,and their family of friends.
Rest in peace Mr Ben.
RP...'come on in'...
Mike Brown
Posts: 5027
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Ben Jack

Post by Mike Brown »

This is a shocker! I just found out about this. He was a good man. I hate that hear this.
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Carl Williams
Posts: 3159
Joined: 27 Sep 2004 12:01 am
Location: Oklahoma

Condolences

Post by Carl Williams »

Very sorry to hear of Ben's passing. Ben, as has been noted, was a very kind gentleman. He helped me with getting my very first amp at his store in Fort Smith back in '74. He will be missed. Carl