Ben Birchfield

Ben Birchfield Jr. was born in Starkville, Mississippi on December 5th, 1955. He was the first born child of Ben and Sallie Mae Birchfield.

Ben began a journey in education at Garfield Elementary, Normandy Junior High, then went on to receive his high school diploma from Normandy High School. In 1979, Ben received his Bachelor's of Science in Secondary Education at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville Missouri on a full ride football scholarship. In 1981, Ben would return to Northwest Missouri State University to pursue a Master of Science in Education.

Ben’s education journey would continue into his professional career as well. He demonstrated his passion across all levels of education ranging from being a teacher and a coach, to a principal and an assistant dean of students. Some examples would include a large amount of post graduate course work from 1981 to 1987, working as the Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Missouri-Columbia until 1989, the Assistant Dean of Students at Northwest Missouri State until 1992, working at the Office of International Programs at the University of Texas at El Paso from 1996 through 2005, and even founding his own company. In the last 10 years of his career prior to his retirement in June 2026, Ben worked as a Health & Wellness/Physical Education teacher for St. Louis Public Schools.

While working at the Office of International Programs, Ben’s life changed when he met Maria Cecilia Mendoza, who would then go on to become his wife. His life would then again change when having his first and only child, Benjamin Birchfield. Ben was a loving husband, father, brother, and uncle who devoted the rest of his life to supporting and protecting his family. Ben was loyal, optimistic, friendly, and most importantly, dedicated to those he held most dear.

Ben leaves his memories to be remembered and cherished by: his wife; Maria Cecilia Birchfield, his son; Benjamin Birchfield, his siblings; Rose Ellis, Dorothy Rounds, Jessie L. Ellis, Flora Foreman, Glenda Ellis, Harvey Birchfield, Lillie McMurray, and Cleveland Birchfield, a host of many nieces and nephews, and his dog; Dakota Birchfield.