Obituary for Orland Hoyt Benedict
Orland Hoyt Benedict died in his home at 1720 Hollywood Drive, Wednesday morning. He was born July 12, 1919, in Clyde, Texas to George benedict and Bertha (Huffstetler) Benedict. the family moved to the Friendship Community in Jackson County in 1945. As a freshman Hoyt attended the Friendship School where he played basketball and baseball. As a pitcher he helped Friendship win the State Championship in baseball in 1949 when he struck out 21 hitters in the final game. He signed to play professionally with the St. Louis Cardinals upon graduation in 1949. He played several years in the Cardinal farm system, first in Salisbury, Maryland, and ten in Winston, Salem, North Carolina. His baseball career was interupted in 1951 when he was drafted into the army during the Korean War. Most of his army time consisted of working in radar to protect the nuclear plant at Camp Hanford in North Richland, Washington. He played in several cities which include Omaha, Nebraska; Fresno, California; Columbus, Georgia; Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Montreal, Canada in the International League which was class AAA. This league played in Havana, Cuba, at the time Fidel Castro had taken control of Cuba, and Hoyt joked about Cubans officers with machine guns guarding their dugouts during the games. He later played with Victoria Rosebuds of Victoria, Texas. Prior to his retirement from baseball in 1958 he played in Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Texas, and Pampa, Texas.
After baseball, Hoyt farmed in Jackson County. He joined the Altus Plice Department in 1961 when Jim Pryor was Chief of Police. He left the Police Department to join the Sheriff's department when Kenneth spear was Sheriff.
When Jim Pryor retired in 1971, Hoyt ran for Chief of Police and was elected. He served as Chief of Police until 1987. He lived in Arizona for nine years and returned to Altus in 1996.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, George and Bertha Benedict and his wife Sharon Earls Benedict.
He is survived by two children, a son Larry Benedict and Tracie of Altus; a daughter Lori Plaut and Jim of Winter Garden, Florida; three grandchildren, Sarah, James and Ethan Plaut; three step grandchildren, Vanessa and Emily Cole and Trey Graham; one brother, Wenford Benedict and Kay of Duncan; two sisters, LaJuan Wilson of Winnsboro, Texas, and Benwah Wilson of Dallas, Texas; a special friend, LaJune White; and several nieces and nephew, and many friends.
02/20/1999
2:00 PM
Funeral
First Baptist Church
Altus
OK
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After baseball, Hoyt farmed in Jackson County. He joined the Altus Plice Department in 1961 when Jim Pryor was Chief of Police. He left the Police Department to join the Sheriff's department when Kenneth spear was Sheriff.
When Jim Pryor retired in 1971, Hoyt ran for Chief of Police and was elected. He served as Chief of Police until 1987. He lived in Arizona for nine years and returned to Altus in 1996.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, George and Bertha Benedict and his wife Sharon Earls Benedict.
He is survived by two children, a son Larry Benedict and Tracie of Altus; a daughter Lori Plaut and Jim of Winter Garden, Florida; three grandchildren, Sarah, James and Ethan Plaut; three step grandchildren, Vanessa and Emily Cole and Trey Graham; one brother, Wenford Benedict and Kay of Duncan; two sisters, LaJuan Wilson of Winnsboro, Texas, and Benwah Wilson of Dallas, Texas; a special friend, LaJune White; and several nieces and nephew, and many friends.
02/20/1999
2:00 PM
Funeral
First Baptist Church
Altus
OK
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