DOUGLAS

GLASS

BENEFIELD

Douglas Glass Benefield went home to be with His Lord on September 27, 2020, just short of his 59^th birthday. Doug was a devoted follower of Christ, a visionary, a beloved husband, a loving father, a caring brother, a servant leader, and a loyal friend to many.

Doug was born in Palo Alto, California on October 2, 1961 to Johnnie and Suzanne Benefield. He grew up in Huntsville, Alabama and graduated from Huntsville High School, class of 1980. He was a successful wrestler during his years in junior and senior high school. He lost his first match in the 7th grade and never lost another match in junior high. He wrestled varsity all four years at HHS and was consistently a top 10 wrestler at the state level.

After graduation, like his father and brothers, Doug attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He graduated in 1984 with a degree in Biology. While attending college, he was a charter member of the Aggie Cowboys fraternity which later became Beta Theta Pi. Using his lifelong talent in art, Doug painted murals on buildings and designed business logos for his college work.
 

After college, Doug joined the Navy and completed Aviation Officer Candidate School to become a Naval Flight Officer. He completed flight school and served as Naval Flight Officer and Pilot in the S-3B Viking aircraft for 3 years off of Navy aircraft carriers out of San Diego, California. He then served for 3 years as a Mine Warfare Instructor in Charleston, South Carolina. Doug transitioned to the Navy Intelligence community and retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander (O-4) in 1999.
 

Doug founded, owned and operated the “Kiva Han” restaurant in Charleston for several years while also working as a security and communication technology consultant for the US government. During his early years in Charleston, he met, dated, and married the love of his life, Renee Cousar Benefield. In 2001, Doug and Renee were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Eva. After the sudden loss of Renee in 2015, he was a dedicated single father while continuing to work with defense and private equity ventures supporting government missions. Doug was widely recognized as a quantum physics expert and futuristic technologies creator.
 

Always true to his strong Christian faith, he was a longtime member of Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Most mornings, Doug was up before 5:30 am to study scripture and spend quiet time with Jesus. He always finished up the start to his day by sending Bible verses and uplifting messages to his daughter, Eva, and others. Doug was a believer in the importance of the health of his mind, body, and spirit. He was very active in fitness training with Iron Tribe and CrossFit. His daughters Eva and Emerson were the great joys of his life, and he often spoke of his desire to be healthy and fit to serve them well for the rest of his life.
 

Doug was generous to a fault and never gave up on people. He touched countless lives, bringing the rich joy of this life to those he cherished as his friends. He brought out the best in people and made you feel special just being around him. He was handsome, strong, and gentle. He had great taste and somehow touched every area of your life making it richer and better.

On September 27, 2020, Doug's life was taken by Ashley Byers Benefield whom he had married in 2016. Ashley Benefield was convicted of manslaughter with a firearm on July 30, 2024 in Manatee County Florida. She remains in custody and is awaiting sentencing of up to 30 years in prison.

Doug loved His Lord Jesus Christ and is now home with Him forever. We miss you every day and look forward to the time when we will see you again in eternity. Until that day, we live for Christ's glory here on Earth as it is in Heaven. Thanks for all you shared with us brother.