Douglas “Doug” Alan Bench, 58, was born Jan. 14, 1956, in Victoria, Texas, and passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 21 in Dallas after a six-year battle with kidney cancer. He is survived by his life partner of 14 and a half years, Robert Shaddock; father Vernon Bench Sr.; brother Vernon Bench Jr. and wife Judy; brother David Bench and wife Karen; brother Richard Bench and wife Sherry; and numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Ewen Jewett “Judy” (Reeves) Bench.
Doug was a 1974 graduate of Greenville High School in Greenville, Texas, a 1978 graduate of East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, followed by attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
He worked in the banking and financial sector throughout his career and was employed the last seven years with the tax firm Ryan LLC in Dallas.
Doug’s true love was music, performing and composing. He performed everywhere from AstroWorld in Houston to the Guava Bomblets Comedy Troupe in Dallas. Composing music was his passion. He spent many years writing trance music, gospel music and stage musicals. His musical Temps had a staged reading at the White Rock Bath House Cultural Center. He was also chosen as the “Cool Composer” in the April 2003 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Cool Issue.”
A celebration of life service will be held in the chapel of the White Rock Community Church, 9353 Garland Road in Dallas on Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 31, 2014.
