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Ben Adkisson, age 82, of Valley View, TX, passed away at his home on August 10, 2023. Ben was born in Dallas, TX, 1-27-1941 to parents Benjamin Harrison Adkisson and Grace Olivia Wiley Adkisson. He is preceded by his parents, his wife of 51 years, Susan, and his brother Timothy Adkisson. Ben graduated from High School in Dallas and earned his BA degree from North Texas University. On a casual outing in 1966 Ben met his bride to be, Susie. She was sitting in the stands with some of her college girlfriends at a genuine Texas Bush Horse Racing Track called Ross Downs located in Colleyville, TX. Ben noticed her; struck up a conversation and made a date with Susie by winning a bet on a horse race. Back then the jockeys all took turns winning and Ben’s friend was one of the jockeys. They married on February 12, 1967. Susie and Ben made their initial home in Farmers Branch where Ben became a 40-year part owner and ultimately full owner of Fred Marsh Automotive, a very successful repair shop specializing in automotive repair of Jeeps and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Susie worked 23 years as Inventory Write-off Analyst for Otis Engineering, a division of Haliburton. In 1970, Susie and Ben purchased land in Aubrey adjacent to the then famous 440 Ranch and began to develop their farm there. Together they became involved in raising, training, and showing championship cutting horses. Susie was the horsewoman and Ben was her greatest supporter. Additionally, Ben and Susie traveled and enjoyed bird hunting-both becoming avid Trap shooters. Ben and Susie were the ultimate animal lovers taking in numerous “throw aways” and adopting “rescues” sometimes having 5-7 dogs at one time. Ben and Susie’s integrity and loyalty to their friends and family and animals are the things that will be remembered most. Ben is survived by his devoted everyday companion, Shorty, a short wire-haired rescue; his brother David Vincent Adkisson (Ruth) of Lewisville, brother Johnny (John Michael) Adkisson of Plano, Susie’s first cousin, Tricia Morgan Russell; and a host of extended family and friends. A family graveside service will be held on Sunday. August 13th at 11:00AM at New Hope Cemetery, FM 372 (1 mile north of FM 922) Mountain Springs, Cooke County, Texas. A Celebration Of Life will be held Monday, August 14th, at 11:00 AM at the Mountain Springs Community Center, 173 Mountain Springs Lane, Mountain Springs, Texas. Family and Friends are invited to lunch and to celebrate Ben’s life. Bring your best stories. Memorials may be made to Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter, 2501 N. Weaver St., Gainesville, Tx. 76240, or to Horsemen For Christ, PO BOX 728, Archer City, Texas, 76351. Online condolences may be shared at www.slaymemorialfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Terri Slay and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.

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Ben Harrison Adkisson Jr.

January 27, 1941 - August 10, 2023