Funeral service for 1SG (Retired) Alfonso (Al) Benskin will be 10:00 AM Saturday, August 8, 2015 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Michael Cross, New Hope Church of God in Christ officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at 10:00 AM Monday, August 10, 2015 at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin. The family will greet friends from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Friday at the funeral home. 1SG (Retired) Alfonso (Al) Benskin, age 59, of Lawton passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2015 in Lawton. He was born January 13, 1956 at 97th Army General Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany to Nathaniel and Essie Carr. He was adopted by Alvin and Lillian Benskin. Al grew up as a child in a military family and moved often. When his father retired, the family settled in Killeen, Texas. Early in 1978 his brother Anthony introduced him to Pamela Taggart. Less than a year after they met, they eloped, beginning a union that lasted 37 years. Their first child, Nicole was born in 1980 followed by Justin in 1986. After graduating from Killeen High School in 1974, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Even though he only planned to complete one enlistment, he ended up making the Army his career. Al's career took the family to duty stations in Germany, Oklahoma, and Georgia. He also completed a tour in Korea. During his career, he was a Senior Drill Sergeant, Drill Sergeant Academy Cadre, Chief of Smoke, Operations Sergeant, and Battery First Sergeant. He earned numerous awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Expert Marksmanship Badge, and Drill Sergeant of the Cycle Award. His final duty station was Ft Sill, Oklahoma. In 1995 he retired from Bravo Battery, 1st / 78th Field Artillery as a First Sergeant. After his retirement, Al attended Cameron University graduating first with an Associates Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, followed by a Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology. He accepted a teaching position at Cleveland Middle School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The next year he returned to Lawton to teach Social Studies at Taft Alternative Academy. After two years at Taft, Al was selected to become the Dean of Students at Tomlinson Junior High School. He quickly earned a reputation from students and staff for being hard but fair. His students always knew he had their best interests at heart. Some of his favorite students were the ones that gave him the most challenges. He loved running in to them years later; reminiscing, laughing, and telling them they were responsible for his grey hair. He finished his career with Lawton Public Schools at MacArthur Junior High School. He returned to Fort Sill as a Civil Servant in the position of Unit Armorer for Fox Battery, 1st / 40th Field Artillery. Although he was only there for three years, his perfectionism and attention to detail earned him multiple awards and performance bonuses. After working since he was 16, he resigned to enjoy a well deserved retirement. Alfonso's family was the most important part of his life. Although we were often separated by distance, we always knew how much he loved us. He leaves behind a family that will forever cherish his memory; Pam, his wife of 37 years. Two children and their partners, Nicole Benskin and Brandon Bell and Justin Benskin and Daniella Yarbrough; his mother, Lillian Benskin; his mother-in-law, Iris Taggart; two brothers, Anthony Benskin and Alvin Benskin and his wife; Sheila; nine nieces and nephews, Jamie, Rosa, Christopher, Jessica, Kyle, Lynn Marie, Stedman, Connor, Jasmine, and Quinn; seven great nieces and nephews; along with extended family members Brigette Wells and Jean Croft.