Obituary for Benjamin Maxwell Frias

Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Benjamin Maxwell Frias peacefully entered eternal life on April 24 th ,2023, with his family by his side.

He was born on August 23, 1931, to Adelina Maxwell and Rafael Frias. He attended the
Lordsburg, New Mexico school system and was a three-sport letterman (football, basketball, track) for Lordsburg High School, home of the Mavericks.

“Benny” as he was known to his friends, enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. He was assigned to various stations around the world and played football and basketball for the Ashiya Mustangs, in Kyushu, Japan. He was released from active duty in 1954 and attended college at Western New Mexico University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education. He returned to active duty in the United States Army in 1959, served in the Korean War and Vietnam, and eventually retired from the military in 1977, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His last assignment of Fort Bliss, Texas was where he planted his roots and called El Paso home. Lieutenant Colonel Frias is survived by his five children; Anna Maria (Werner), Elizabeth (Theresa), Benjamin (Alouvinia), Johnny (Michelle), Roseanna (Robert), seven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren, and six brothers and sisters. He is predeceased by his beautiful wife, Angela, his grandson, David, his grandson, Ben III, his parents, and one brother and countless fellow soldiers.

Ben had a vibrant personality, was very social, and was extremely quick witted. He never
started a conversation without a joke, no matter the audience. He has a love for all sports,
(minus golf), the city of El Paso, his family, and his two attack chihuahuas, Smokey and Tiny. His life revolved around his service to our country and his actions, both in and out of the military, impacted the lives of many. He was extremely faithful in his love of God and prayer.

Ben lived his last few years in Tucson, Arizona, but his heart was always in El Paso. He has
now arrived at his last assignment (or duty station) and his final resting place is with his wife in El Paso.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Tucson. There will be an additional Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at a later date at St. Raphael Catholic Church in El Paso followed by the internment at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.