Ben Franklin Gullatt, 85, went to be with his Lord on December 30, 2024. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held January 4, 2025, at 2 pm in the Chapel of Temple Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Reggie Bridges. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes in Ruston, LA.

A visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. until service time in the Chapel of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston.

Ben was born in Ruston, LA to Sam and Ruby Gullatt. He attended A. E. Phillips Laboratory School and was a graduate of Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech University. He was married to his loving wife Marilyn Ferguson Gullatt, and they celebrated 65 years of marriage on December 26^th. Ben owned Gullatt Tire Company in Ruston for many years and was a faithful member of Temple Baptist Church. Throughout his life, “Gramps” enjoyed gardening, building things, raising horses, church activities and supporting his children and grandchildren in their many activities.

Ben is survived by his wife Marilyn and children Donna Hood (Richard) of Ruston; Laura Smith (Jimmy) of Shreveport; and Randy Gullatt (Kim) of Versailles, KY. He was proud of his grandchildren Graham Fuller (Morgan), Lauren Blackwell (Logan), Anna Barbiero (A.J.), Craig Smith (Lauren), Todd Smith (Emily), Erin McConnico (Jackson), Daniel Smith, Brooke Blackmon (Brandon), and Taylor Gullatt and great-grandchildren Bobbi Anne and Braxon Fuller, Bentley and Bailey Blackwell, Cooper Blackmon, and Charlotte and James Smith. He is also survived by his brother Johnny (Carolyn) Gullatt of Austin, TX and sister-in-law Jan Grigsby of Ruston, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and their spouses Sam Gullatt, Jr. Marjorie Barnes, Virginia Borchelt, Elizabeth Sehon and brother-in-law Glen Grigsby.

Ben loved his Lord and Savior and faithfully lived out Hebrews 12:1 “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Pallbearers will be his grandsons; A.J. Barbiero, Brandon Blackmon, Logan Blackwell, Graham Fuller, Taylor Gullatt, Jackson McConnico, Craig Smith, Daniel Smith, Todd Smith.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

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