Benjamin Kelley Salmon

Benjamin Kelley Salmon, 66, of Owensboro died at home Sunday, January 11, 2009. Ben was born March 21, 1942 in Owensboro to the late Ranney Lee Salmon and Dorothy Dean Shown. He was preceded in death by his brothers William H. Salmon, Ranney Dean Salmon, and his sisters, Jeanette Williams and Marcia Strehl.

While raising four children, he received a BA in Sociology from Brescia University and received credit from the University of Colorado at Denver. He retired with 22 years of service from the Kentucky State Employment Services and was a board member of the Selective Service System. He served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, was an expert marksman, and received the Purple Heart medal. He continued to serve veterans at the State Employment Office and as the veterans' counselor. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and served as post adjutant for 17 years, a life member of the American Legion and of Am Vets. He organized the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and was a lifetime member. He was co-founder and a member of the local chapter of the Marine Corps League. He was a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

He became interested in running beagle hounds in field trials at the age of 10 and it remained a lifetime obsession. He was a life member of the Owensboro-Ohio County Beagle Club, serving in many offices including President and Field Trial Secretary. He was the original Field Trial Secretary for the American Kennel Club SPO National Championship and served in that role for 12 years.

Ben is survived by his wife of 27 years, Mary E. Salmon; two daughters, Deborah D. Frazier and husband Bryan, granddaughters Tabitha and Stephanie, and grandson Ray, all of Moore, OK; Teresa L. Payne and husband Jeff, grandson Matthew, and granddaughters Sarah and Michaela, all of Indianapolis; two Sons, Jeffrey E. Salmon and wife Gussie , and David L. Salmon, all of Owensboro; a sister, Dianne Woodward and husband Estil of Owensboro; and brothers, James Salmon and wife Cindy of Davidsonville, MD; and Sparky, his Jack Russell Terrier and little buddy.

His interests included playing pool, flower gardening, cooking, writing, and wine making. His passions were his family, always first; veterans, and beagling.

"American by the Grace of God and United States Marine by choice. Semper Fi."

Services are at 12:00 noon Thursday at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church with Fr. Richard Powers officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday with prayers at 7 p.m., and visitation after 9:00 a.m. Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the A.L.S. Society.