BEN CASH Former Nueces County Pct. 4 Constable Ben Alvin Cash died Thursday, April 12, 2007. He had been a resident of Port Aransas for the past 38 years.

Cash was born on July 10, 1926, in Orange City, Fla., to Raymond and Gladys Cash.

Cash served in the United States Navy and United States Army.

Before moving to Port Aransas, Cash was a minister and in law enforcement in Dallas.

He served as a deputy constable in Precinct 1 in Dallas and witnessed President John F. Kennedy's assassination from the second story balcony of the Dallas County Courthouse, which was directly over the Kennedy's convertible.

Cash was also one of the first four officers to enter the book depository in pursuit of Lee Harvey Oswald.

He was the constable of Port Aransas for several terms, then went back into the ministry, where he served as chaplain for the Blue Knight Harley Owners.

Cash was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Aransas Pass and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He also had been a member of the Port Aransas Lions Club.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Mary Cash of Port Aransas; one son, John B. (Maria) Cash of Mexico; one daughter, Yvonne Cash of Scurry; a brother, Roy (Ernestine) Cash of Silsbee; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held Sunday, April 15, at the First Baptist Church in Port Aransas. Interment followed at the Royal Palms Cemetery in Port Aransas.