Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Pearl Johnson Pleasant Carter and Benjamin Thomas Pleasant; and step father, Millard Carter.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jeanne Dyer Pleasant; his son, Jerry Thomas Pleasant; his daughter and spouse, Leslie Pleasant Jackson and Randy Lee Jackson; one sister, Billie Jo Rewjuk; two granddaughters, Erica Rene Pleasant, Tessie Sheree Miller and spouse, Robbie Miller; and four great grandchildren, Mason Chmielewski, Skylar Miller, Laykin Miller and Emery Miller.
Ben moved with his parents to Baytown, Texas in 1954 and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1955. He then attended Lee College. After graduation he married Jeanne Dyer in 1958. They moved to Beaumont, Texas where Ben attended Lamar University. The year 1961 was important for the Pleasants: Ben graduated from college, went to work as a teacher for the Laporte Independent School District, and their first child was born. Fourteen months later a daughter was born.
Ben taught for ten years and then went back to school to get his library certificate. He worked the remainder of his 30 years as a school librarian.
Ben and Jeanne both retired in 1992, and spent many good years traveling in their RV. Ben also loved to fish, hunt, play tennis and ride his bicycle. They bought a cabin in Livingston and spent a lot of time there until they decided to move to Livingston permanently.
A Graveside Service will be held at Cedar Crest Cemetery in Baytown, on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 10:00 AM with Grant Rainey officiating.
Donations can be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 2102 S. John Redditt Dr., Lufkin Tx. 75904 or to the American Cancer Society.
Condolences(2)
Merlyn Ritchie
Baskin, LA Monday, June 29, 2020 Jeanne, Jerry and Tessie,I was so sad today to hear of Ben's passing last week. God bless you all with comfort and strength for the days ahead. Hold fast to the pleasant memories that you experienced through the prior years.
I will always remember the many years that we worked and learned together at Lomax Elementary School Library in La Porte, TX. Many of the students there ask about him.
Andrea Kirkpatrick
jkirk1956@livingston.net, TX Sunday, June 28, 2020 I was so sad to read of Ben’s passing. I thought so much of you two and enjoyed visiting with you. I loved listening to Ben talk about his cabin and your house. I always got a big kick out of that. You had a traffic man that loved you dearly.