Benjamin Martin Kiker, Jr. 1936-2022

Posted Thursday, September 15, 2022 8:16 am

Benjamin Martin Kiker, Jr., 86, of Mineola passed away Aug. 25, 2022 at home after a short illness of a brain tumor. He was born in Fort Worth on Nov. 8, 1936 to Benjamin Martin Kiker and Hollis May “Margie” (Hollingsworth) Kiker. He was named after his father and great-grandfather. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1955. He married Frances Joan Troth in 1955. They had four children.

Ben was preceded in death by wife, Bettye Marie (Casstevens) Kiker; wife, Linda Lee (Jimerson) Kiker; son, Benjamin Martin “Marty” Kiker; infant son, Robert Gean Kiker; parents, Ben Kiker and Margie Kiker Lee; and sister, Grace Estelle (Kiker) Broussard.

Survivors include wife, Nancy Lou (Hibdon) Davis of Mineola; daughter, Melody Jane (Kiker) Young (Robert Elmer) of Burleson; son, Morris Wayne Kiker (Kenda) of Arlington; five grandchildren; and two sisters, Frances Ann (Kiker) Sexton of Pflugerville and Mary Kathryn (Kiker) Humphreys of Mineola.

He was a jack-of-many trades. Early in his career he took a job with the Arlington Police Department as a patrolman. He was named Arlington’s Policeman of the Year in 1959. He was employed in the personnel department of General Motors Arlington plant for several years. Then his interest turned to photography, and he worked several years for Olan Mills Church Directories where he received an award for highest area net sales in 1993. He started Ben Kiker Photography.

Following retirement and a move to Wood County, he concentrated on his passion to serve others. He and Curtis Sims started a Christian music ministry performing at senior communities.

Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at Freedom Baptist Church, 155 CR 2201, Mineola.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reflections Hospice, Quitman, who were wonderful angels to Ben and family.

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