Ben H. Masters

Ben Harle Masters passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, June 5, 2025.  Ben was born August 19, 1938, in Bokchito, Oklahoma to William Arvin and Bertie Evelyn (Scott) Masters and had one brother, Gene, and one sister, Mary Ellen.  

Ben was married to his wife, Mary Dolores (Nickles) Masters, for 62 years.  They have two children, Lori and Alan, 2 granddaughters, Anna and Emily, and two great grandchildren, Everett and Dainy.  

Ben graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and went on to serve his country for eight years in the Army Reserve.  Ben started his career at Ducommun Metals in Dallas.  Shortly thereafter, along with his friend, Perry Johns, Ben helped to found J & M Steel in Ft. Worth, Texas where he worked diligently for 40 years. J & M Steel remains a thriving company to this day.  

Ben was a 52-year member of First United Methodist Church in Hurst, Texas and faithfully served the church and his community. Ben was an avid amateur photographer and loved to listen to music, especially old country and western.  Ben read hundreds of books in his lifetime and often had three going at once (a novel, a historical book, and a religious book). Ben played basketball in high school and enjoyed spending time with his brother, Gene, attending basketball tournaments. 

Ben and Dolores loved to travel and took their children and grandchildren on many trips across the country and were also able to travel abroad. Ben was a devoted Christian with a kind and gentle spirit.  He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, he had important things to say.  Ben loved his God, he loved his church, he loved his family and his friends.  Ben was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.  

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, William Arvin and Bertie Evelyn (Scott) Masters, his sister, Mary Ellen James and his brother, Gene Masters.  

Survivors include his loving wife, Mary Dolores (Nickles) Masters; daughter, Lori and husband, Richard Payne; son, Alan Masters; granddaughters, Anna and husband, Aaron Deaver and Emily Payne; great grandchildren, Everett and Dainy Deaver; as well as many other extended family members and special friends.  

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1461, Hurst, Texas 76053.