BENJIMAN "WESLEY" DEMPSEY, 78, passed away on
Dec. 10, 2002, with burial at Mt. Zion Cemetery
near Ranger, TX.
Mr. Dempsey was born on Nov. 21, 1924 in Stephens
County, to Cody Neal and Martha Jane Adams Dempsey.
His entire life was spent farming his land north of
Ranger in La Casa Community and ranching with the
exception of the 18 months that he served in the U.S.
Navy. One year of his service was in the Phillipine
Islands. He married Nell Anderson (RHS-1952) in Ranger
and together they had 4 children. Wesley graduated
from Ranger High School and Ranger Jr. College. He
worked for Enserch for 26 years and was a member of
the Breckenridge American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Nell Dempsey of Ranger;
children, Steve Dempsey of Fort Worth, Jeri Ponder
and husband, J.T. of Fort Worth, Mark Dempsey and
wife, Trissie of Breckenridge, Penni Owens & husband,
Rusty of Big Lake; eight grandchildren, Kim Fisher
of Fort Worth, Stephanie and Jeff Dempsey of Crowley,
Todd, Camri and Alex Dempsey all of Breckenridge,
Corey and Darci Owens of Big Lake; sister, Helen
Dempsey Bradford (RHS-1945) & husband, Don of Ranger;
two nieces and nephews; several cousins; and brother-
in-law, John Anderson and wife, Bobbie of Fort Worth.
DAUGHTER: PENYETTE DENISE DEMPSEY OWENS of Big
Lake, TX completed her work here on this earth on
Jan. 28, 2020 at the age of 61. Penni was born to
Nell and Wesley Dempsey in Ranger, TX on March 1,
1958. She married Rusty Owens in Aug. of 1978 at
Ranger after meeting at Tarleton State University.
Penni grew up on a family farm where money was tight
and hard work was an expectation. Her quiet demeanor
and devotion aligned with the ranching family she
married into. She was employed for a time at Reagan
Memorial Hospital and for more than 25 years at
Reagan County ISD as the Special Education Secretary.
Most importantly, she dedicated her life to being
the #1 supporter of her husband and her children.
She was both a travel agent and a tour guide for
every basketball game, track and cross country meet,
4-H project and livestock show in which her kids were
involved. She was a cheerleader and a coach. She
proofread endless homework assignments, scholarship
essays and algebra equations. She was a student and
a teacher. Family came first. Her creative smarts and
listening ear instilled a sense of peace in those she
served. She was a counselor and therapist. Her grand-
children adored her calm spirit & they loved reading
in Mimi's lap. Her essence of peace was present
throughout her last day on this earth.
Penni was preceded in death by her father. She is
survived by her husband of 41 years, her son Corey
Owens (Shauna) of San Angelo, daughter Darci Owens
of San Antonio and two grandchildren Carson and
Avery Owens. She is also survived by her mother,
Nell; brother Steve Dempsey of Ranger, sister Jeri
Ponder (JT) of Richland Hills, brother Mark Dempsey
(Trissie) of Breckenridge and numerous nieces and
nephews.