Ben Jones Mashburn ("Benji") , age 74, passed away April 26, 2019, at his home in Camden, AR. He was born July 14, 1944, in Lubbock, TX, the son of Ben Jones Mashburn and Dorothy Dunlap Mashburn. In 1971 he married Linda Tutt, and they celebrated their 47 ^th anniversary on November 13, 2018.

In his early years, Ben attended the Little Rock public schools, graduated from Hall High School in 1962, and attended college at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. He then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Reserves where he served for eight years. In 2013 he attended a reunion of his marine buddies in Parris Island, SC. Reconnecting with his fellow marines was one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.

He and Linda met in Little Rock, AR, in 1970, where they lived until 1977. They moved to Shreveport, LA (1977-1978), and afterward to Meridian, MS (1978-1987). In 1987 they settled in Camden, AR, to be closer to Linda's family. While in Camden, Ben worked in the defense industry until his retirement in 2009 from Lockheed Martin where he worked as a Quality Engineer in the division of Missiles and Fire Control.

Benji enjoyed working around his house, cooking for friends and guests (grillmaster extraordinaire), and weekly camaraderie with members of his Rotary Club. Rotary Club was always the highlight of his week. He loved being involved in the organization's work, and he was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2019. He reveled in racing around in his cobalt blue Porsche 911 (one of several Porsches he had owned over the years), looping around town and often honking in front of friends' houses. From childhood he was an inveterate Razorback football fan, and game day was always an "energetic" experience, to put it mildly. Ben loved his gadgets and would never tire of talking about them. Often his favorite type of advice to give was unsolicited, but he was always passionate about offering words of wisdom. He could spend hours describing how to set up a spreadsheet or balance a checkbook. Ben loved all animals, particularly dogs, and they seemed magnetically drawn to him. He loved music and could get lost in it for hours on end, often picking out tunes and jamming on his acoustic guitar, just singing in the living room with his children.

Benji's family was his top priority. His love for them was constant and often sacrificial. His circles of friendship were distinctive in their breadth, depth, and durability. He was loved by neighbors and local friends, always available to help them in various ways that made him indispensable. He kept up with old friends from previous chapters of his life, communicating regularly and lending support in times of need, just as they did for him. Throughout his life he was a champion of the underdog, always willing to step in and stand up for those who were mistreated or faced with personal tragedy. No one (including and especially Benji) fully comprehended how special he was to so many people. He was genuinely shocked at the outpouring of love and support he received when he got sick, even saying that he felt almost like a "rock star."

Benji was a complicated man to know. He could be gruff and difficult and stubborn, but his soft core and sweet soul still shone through, whether he liked it or not. His children often said he should have come with an instruction manual. His sense of humor, one of his most endearing qualities, could be silly and wickedly dark at the same time. He was renowned for his unique brand of malaphors. "Eleven of one, six dozen of another." "The guilty dog barks but once…"

Benji was diagnosed with cancer in early December 2018, and he fought with everything he had right up to the end.

Ben was preceded in death by his father Ben Jones Mashburn, Sr., his mother Dorothy Dunlap Mashburn, his younger brother Robert Mashburn, and his son Christopher M. Mashburn.

He is survived by his wife Linda Tutt Mashburn, step-son G. Scott Hollingsworth (Jana) of Athens, GA, daughter Kathryn E. Mashburn of Nashville, TN, son Jon C. Mashburn, currently of Camden, AR, and five grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank OCMC Hospice, Elite Home Health, and Drs. Dan Martin and Lynn Cleveland for the excellent care they provided to Ben in his final months.

A reception will be held May 18, 2019, from 2:00-4:00 PM in the Great Hall of the First United Methodist Church in Camden. Refreshments will be served, and friends and family will have the opportunity to visit with each other and celebrate Benji and the indelible mark he left on this world.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of several charity organizations that Ben held close to his heart: First United Methodist Church in Camden, AR; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN; H&P Animal Alliance in Camden, AR.  Cremation services are under the direction of Cremation Services of Arkansas (501)313-5431.