Benjamin Douglas Agnor

Benjamin Douglas Agnor was born on January 27, 1936, in Marshall, Texas, to Thomas Jacob Agnor, Sr., and Mary Bell Thrasher Agnor.  He left his earthly body on November 7, 2023, in Bryan, Texas.  He was a believer in Jesus Christ.

He is predeceased by his parents and his three siblings, Thomas Jacob Agnor, Jr., Mary Ware Agnor Griffith, and Lois “Sita” Thrasher Agnor Smith.  His beloved wife of almost 64 years, Margaret Ann Oliver Agnor, died in April 2021. Surviving are his three children: Mary Kathryn Agnor Kirkpatrick (Scott) of Longview, Texas; Annabell Agnor Duncan (Jim) of Caldwell, Texas; and Thomas Benjamin Agnor (Sunny) of College Station, Texas.  Also grieving his loss are five grandchildren, Sara Duncan Fredericks (Chris) of Dallas; Ashley Duncan Skweres (Justin) of Shreveport; Benjamin Oliver Agnor (Brittany) of Collierville, Tennessee; James Ross Duncan of Dallas; and William Thrasher Agnor (Aubrey) of Bryan.  At the time of his death, he also had eleven great-grandchildren, Jonah Skweres, Harper Fredericks, Griffin Skweres, Duncan Fredericks, Lily Agnor, Everett Skweres, Ezra Agnor, Alden Agnor, Austin Agnor, Judah Agnor, and Hudson Agnor. He also leaves behind numerous beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Ben met Margaret in the fourth grade, when Margaret’s family moved to Marshall, Texas, in 1945. Although Ben was in the Marshall High School class of 1954, he did not complete his high school years there. After his father died in 1952, Ben and his mother moved to Austin, and he graduated from St. Stephens Episcopal High School.  

Ben was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, serving as a leader in the C Jocks outfit. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1958, about one year after marrying Margaret, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry. They moved many times with Ben’s career as their family grew. Ben worked in the oil field, served his country as an Army officer, and worked in sales for Monsanto. In 1964, he was hired by Elanco Products Company, a new division of Eli Lilly. With Elanco, he progressed quickly. He landed in Indianapolis, the corporate headquarters, retiring in 1987 as corporate Executive Vice President for the Agricultural Chemical Division.  His entire career located him in Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Indiana (twice), Georgia, Tennessee, and back to Texas.  He was an ordained elder for Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis and for Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Marshall, Texas. He gave of his many talents on numerous church boards and committees, church choirs, and handbell choirs.

After retirement, Ben and Margaret moved back to the town where they met, Marshall, Texas. For the next thirty years, Ben served his community in various capacities, including the board of the Marshall Regional Arts Council, the Harrison County Courthouse Preservation Council board, and the Rotary Club of Marshall. He raised some cattle and helped some local small businesses as a consultant. Ben also enjoyed woodworking, hunting, making lanyards, and knitting.

A devoted Rotarian, Ben led a Rotary Group Study Exchange to Tasmania. Later, he served as District Governor for Rotary District 5830 in 2004-5. Margaret traveled extensively with Ben during that year, ably supporting him.  The couple truly made friends all over the world. They relocated to College Station in 2010.

Throughout his life, he made good friends, had extensive knowledge about a wealth of subjects, and was a masterful storyteller. He is remembered for his love, his stories, and his laugh.                   

Pallbearers are Ben O. Agnor, Ross Duncan, Will Agnor, Jonah Skweres, Tommy Weisz, and Jack Blackburn.

Officiants are The Reverend Mary Kathryn Kirkpatrick (Senior Pastor, Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Longview), The Reverend David Henry (Chaplain, Arbor Oaks and Crestview), Chaplain Janis Godby (retired), and Will Agnor (Contemporary Worship Pastor, Christ Church, College Station).

Any contributions to The Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association (address below), to other charities, or in the form of flowers are all equally appreciated and welcomed by the family.

(Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association, Attn: Honor/Memorial Gifts, 1134 Finfeather Road, Bryan, TX  77803-3823)