Benny Corbitt

Benny Eugene Corbitt, 87, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2016. He was born on March 19, 1929, in Tyler, Texas, to James Elmer Corbitt and Susie (Landers) Corbitt. Anxious to serve his country during World War II and to escape the deep poverty of his childhood, he joined the Army Air Force in 1946 and served as a radar repairman and radio mechanic in Japan just after the war. After being discharged in 1948 he moved to California, where he met the love of his life, Dixie Lee Crandall. They were married in 1950 and had five children. They were married for 60 years before her death in 2011. In 1949 he began working with his future father-in-law, Russell Crandall, on the Crandall Turkey Farms in Lamont, California. When Russell became ill in 1952, Benny took over as manager. He worked in the poultry industry for the rest of his life, always expanding his expertise and influence. Eventually he was a board member of the California Turkey Federation and manager and vice president for major poultry producers, such as Poppy Foods in Dinuba. Finally, in 1986 he started Western Sales Company with his son Steve and became a successful businessman in the poultry trading business. First and foremost, he was a family man. It was a great source of pride for him that after coming from a very humble background he was able to provide, and provide well, for his wife and children. He loved helping out his extended family, too. He was especially proud that his son Steve was the first college graduate in the family and that his daughter Deana was the first to obtain a master’s degree. He enjoyed gambling, golfing, reading, and especially traveling. Family road trips crisscrossing the country, particularly between California and Texas, were frequent. Later in life he was able to travel the world with his beloved wife, Dixie, visiting Europe and South America several times. They especially enjoyed cruising. He is survived by his brother Howard Corbitt, his sister Peggy Kelley, his son Steve (Cissy) Corbitt of Visalia, and his daughters, Linda Corbitt (Don Cabral) of Corona, California; Shirley Egge (Dale Loomis) of Visalia; and Deana (Bruce) Shields of Ann Arbor, Michigan; as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Benny was preceded in death by his parents, his son Ricky, his wife, and his siblings Joe Corbitt, Shag Corbitt, Grace Sewell, Faye Hobbs, Nadine Westberry, Glynn Corbitt, Betty Snow, and James Corbitt. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 11, at Christ Lutheran Church, 3830 W. Tulare Ave., Visalia, CA 93277. Flowers can be delivered directly to the church.

Benny Corbitt

March 19, 1928 - June 6, 2016