Benjamin “Sonny” Demps Jr., 79, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. He was born in Harlem, N.Y., Jan. 5, 1934, to Benjamin and Hazel Demps and had four sisters.

Benjamin served in the U.S. Air Force; was an air traffic controller and supervisor at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center; was director of the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Okla.; earned a law degree from Oklahoma City University; was Director of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City; served in Brussels, Belgium as the FAA Director of Europe, Africa and Middle East; as Cabinet Secretary of Health and Human Services and Director of the State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services; and as Superintendent of the Kansas City, Mo. Public Schools. On May 15, 2002, he married Carolyn Eubanks, and they moved to Port Charlotte. In retirement, he enjoyed sharing experiences of his diverse background, bragging about his grandchildren, sailing, dancing, traveling with his wife, and listening to music of all varieties.

Benjamin is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sisters, Hazel Jordan, and Phyllis Mobley; from a previous marriage daughters, Jacqueline (Rick) Brown and Carolyn (Guy Simons) Demps; grandchildren, Ricky Brown, Hugo Demps-Simons, and Celeste Demps-Simons; stepchildren, Stephen Bryan and Kathleen Bryan; and many loving friends and neighbors.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte.