Benjamin (Ben) Henry Scholl of Tomball passed away peacefully at home on December 31, 2023, 10 weeks past the age of 98.  He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Priscilla Bartels Jordan Scholl; children and stepchildren David Scholl, (wife Cindy Layton) and sons Adam and Jacob; Sarah Scholl Bowie; Rachel Scholl and daughter Haley White (Bradley), son Sutton; Pamela Kaiser (Tommy) and daughters Carrie, Kayla and Kelsey; Beth Kirkpatrick (Charles), daughter Katelin and son Wyatt; Cheryl Jordan Allcorn (Bill); Debra Stepan (John Ed), children Jordan, Grant, Bailey and Parker; as well as grandsons-in-laws, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Ben also leaves behind his faithful 4 legged companion of 12 years, Willie.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 18 years, Evelyn (Schmidt) Scholl, his brother Ervin Scholl and sister Norma Scholl, his son Timothy Scholl (wife Belinda Scholl) and stepchildren Steven Jordan (daughter Stephanie) and Kristin Jordan Harkins (husband Roger Harkins, daughters Hannah and Hailey).

He was born on the family farm in Rose Hill, Texas, a few miles from Tomball. He attended Rose Hill Community School and graduated from Cy-Fair High School in 1942.

At the age of 18 he was drafted into the Army and after being discharged in 1946 he settled in Tomball. His boyhood interest in tools, electrical and mechanical things never left him; he worked as a motor-pool mechanic in Germany during his time in the Army of Occupation and after resettling in Texas he learned appliance repair and installation.

Ben met most of Tomball's population during his years in the appliance sales and repair business where he sold Frigidaire and Carrier appliances. He received an Award of Merit for 10 years of outstanding customer service from Frigidaire. He became widely known as a practical "doer" that others could rely on.

He built numerous houses that provided him a successful real estate business spanning over 60+ years.  He was honest and fair and was able to supply affordable housing to many families.

After serving two years on Tomball's City Council, he was elected Mayor and served for six productive years, 1970-1976. During this time major streets were paved and guttered, utility lines were extended, and a new jail and city hall were built. Firemen were provided insurance, all city employees were put on a pension plan and medical benefits. A new radio system was added for the police with 24 hr operation.

After many years of running his own business, in 1977 he accepted a position as Plant Engineer and Director of Maintenance at what was then Tomball Regional Hospital, where he worked until his retirement in 1988. Ben had a passion for gardening and over the years provided many of the hospital employees with unlimited supplies of fresh organic vegetables, straight out of his garden. He was especially known for his hydroponic tomatoes, the best tasting tomato ever. After retirement, he continued to serve as a hospital volunteer for many years.

Ben was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Growing up in Rose Hill Methodist where after WWII he returned from the service and built the original fellowship hall that is attached to the Historic Sanctuary, the classrooms, added the attic fan to the Historic Sanctuary, taught Sunday School and the list of his many contributions to RHMC goes on and on. Then he transferred to Tomball United Methodist where he served many roles over the years.

Ben was a dedicated Rotarian for 30 years. He was Rotary Club President '66-67 and was the Tomball clubs first Paul Harris recipient.

He was named Tomball Citizen of the Year for 1980

He had a decades old passion for barbershop quartet and as early as the 1950's sang with friends such as Teddy Klein. In later years he sang with the Lonestar Statesman and was named "Barbershopper of the Year" in 1988.

After retirement, he became very involved with the Tomball Museum Center as a Volunteer, Trustee and later Chairman. His many years of work and service there – volunteering among the antique farm machinery, the authentic country church and one-room schoolhouse – refreshed his childhood memories. He became inspired to write a series of essays describing what it was like to grow up on a small Texas farm. A number of these writings were published in the museum's news letter and later compiled in a book, Growing Up in RoseHill (We Were Poor But Didn't Know It)

For a number of years he was the General Manager for Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries (TEAM), a church-sponsored operation that provides assistance to area families.

Ben loved to travel. His travels included numerous trips to Germany, searching for German relatives and making family connections. In 1984, he and Priscilla visited six countries in Europe, calling it his "Grand Tour of Europe" They were also able to see the Passion Play, a highlight of this trip. Additionally, he covered many miles across the United States to visit a state where one of his children was living. Usually, when he arrived, there was a  "Daddy- Do" list waiting on him. He was always ready to lend a hand to any child that was moving cross-country.

He remained interested in gardening, family genealogy (compiling many family history books) and reading – he was a lifelong learner.

As time permitted he spent time in his workshop, he built and refinished furniture, including pump organs and player pianos.

A funeral service will be held on January 13, 2024 @ 10:00 am at Tomball Methodist Church  1603 Baker Dr, Tomball, TX 77375. There will be a visitation at Klein funeral home,Tomball 1400 W Main St, Tomball, TX 77375 on Friday January 12, 2024 from 5-9pm. There will be a private committal later at Seidel cemetery in Rose Hill, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries (TEAM) or the Tomball Museum Center (Spring Creek County Historical Association).

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