Ben F. Fort, Jr.

Ben F. Fort, Jr. (91) took his final rest on March 29 with the arms of God around him and peace knowing his soul was eternal.

He was preceded in death and will be welcomed in Heaven by his cherished wife Allyne Ann Elkins Fort, father and mother Ben and Charlcie Fort, brother George Fort, nephew Mark Fort, and grandsons Alex and Blake Foreman.

He was a loving, caring, and proud father to daughter Beverly Fort Hoffmann (Dennis), son Ben F. Fort, III (Marlene), and daughter Amy Fort Foreman Plaisance (Michael). He was a treasured Paw-Paw to grandchildren, Brandon Foreman (Amy), Taylor Roberts, Wayne Hoffmann (Jennifer), Brad Hoffmann (Katie), West Fort (Faye), Elizabeth Foreman Webster (Collin), and Christian Hoffmann, IV, and grandchildren, Julie Williams, Jeremy Van Cise, Doug and Beau Plaisance, and Lisa Leech. He adored great-grandchildren, Sora Fort-Fabian, Lilly, Vincent, Zyana and Lucius Fort; Jacey, Ava Grace, Charlie, Kaydence and Gage Hoffmann, Brelynn Dew, Kylee, Dylan, and Tyler Foreman, and Marie, Ava Mae and Hailey Pavlis, Kendall, and Wyatt Dew, Holly and Hanna Schroeder, Kailey, Jeremy (Jr.), John, Jaxson and Violet Van Cise, Zoey LeBorgne-Ransom, Jesse and Ryan Plaisance, Alexis and Nathan Leach.

Ben was born and raised in Hooks, TX where he met Allyne and was a star Hornet on the high school basketball team. They married shortly after and spent 63 wonderful years demonstrating their respect and love for each other and providing an excellent example of lifelong commitment for all to witness.

Ben graduated from Texas A&M with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, where he taught Differential Equations and Calculus. He relocated to Baton Rouge after college, where he and Allyne raised their family, made countless friends and were an integral part of the community. He worked for Ethyl Corporation and retired from Albemarle Corporation as Vice President of Research and Development, where he was instrumental in the development of the first gasoline additives to reduce carbon emissions. Ever the entrepreneur, he owned several businesses throughout his life, but his greatest joy was building a successful tech company with grandson Brandon.

He loved dancing, fishing, coaching, camping and traveling the world. Aside from being an avid and very reactionary Aggie fan, Ben was highly intelligent and a member of Mensa International. He was a lifetime deacon of Parkview Baptist Church where he taught College and Career and Senior Sunday School classes for over 30 years. He was an integral part in the formation of Parkview Baptist School, also served many years on the school’s board and wrote their first accounting computer program. He was a very active member of his neighborhood board in Lake Sherwood Acres and some of his favorite activities were playing chess, bridge, handball and racquetball well into his 70’s.

Ben moved back to Texas after losing his beloved Allyne, where he spent the last five years reconnecting with his friend, Barbara Darr. When asked, he would always tell you he was blessed and still felt 35-years-old. Healthy and fit for the majority of his life, Ben did not experience aging like most people and never lost his youthful joy for life and learning.

His voice, smiling eyes, and gentle nature will be forever remembered and truly missed by all who loved him.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 5th, from 1:30-2 p.m. with a memorial service led by Dr. Alfred Stevens at Resthaven Gardens of Memory beginning at 2 p.m. A graveside service will follow.