Ben “El Borrado” Cumpian, 75, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. He was a ranch foreman for the J.J. O’Brien Ranch since 1956.

He was born on July 14, 1934 in Refugio to Luis and Simona Cumpian.

Survivors include his wife Manuela “Mela” Cumpian of Beeville; two daughters and their spouses, Lillian C. and Roque Serna of Nell; Elizabeth C. and Jimmy Holloway of The Woodlands; two step-daughters, Anna and Chris Rodriguez of Beeville and Janie Aleman of Beeville; four stepsons and their spouses, Jessie and Clara Martinez, John Henry and Joanie Martinez, James and Victoria Martinez and Jason Martinez, all of Beeville; two sisters, Janie Diaz of San Antonio and Viviana and Ray Baudreaux of Louisiana.; two brothers and their spouses, Federico and Grace Cumpian and Steban and Maria Cumpian, all of Port Lavaca; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and four step-great grandchildren.

Visitation was held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2. A rosary was recited at 8 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass was celebrated at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4.

Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery in Refugio.

Pallbearers were Jay Cumpian, Mingo Campos, Ernie Ramon, John Ramon, Julian Dino, Tommy Trevino and Wes O’Neil.