Dr. Paul E. Benard unexpectedly passed away at his home in Tarpon Springs, Florida, Thursday evening, November 2, 2023, with his wife at his side.

Paul attended the University of Kentucky and played on their football team. He later graduated from Marshall University with a B.A. Education degree. He returned to the University of Kentucky and earned a DMD in 1978. To specialize in children’s dentistry, he earned a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Southern California.

Paul accepted an appointment as Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Oklahoma and he had a private practice in Oklahoma City. His dental practice and teaching centered around those children who were medically compromised or afraid of going to a dentist. He received referrals from dentists near and far, and his rapport with these children was amazing. Later, Paul and his wife moved to Connecticut where he completed a fellowship in Geriatric Dental Medicine at The University of Connecticut and continued working for the State
until his retirement when he returned to his beloved Kentucky. Paul temporarily stepped in at the University of Kentucky to provide dental direction to graduate students seeking specialization in
pediatric dentistry.

Paul was known for his smile and his interesting stories. He loved learning and was always enrolled in an online class. He was very active in finding his ancestors and spent time creating his family tree in Ancestry.

Paul was born on October 14, 1946, in Ashland, Kentucky, to parents Paul Dean and Pauline Back Benard. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane Perry Benard of Tarpon Springs, Florida; his sister, Diane Benard Hayes (Les, who preceded Paul in death), of Flatwoods, Kentucky; his
son, Paul Brenton (Brent) Benard (Candie) of Lincolnton, North Carolina, his sister-in-law, Jenny Perry Butler of Palm Harbor, Florida; and his brothers-in-law Jim Perry of Hosford, Florida, and Dan Corum (Michele) of Orlando, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law Alice Carol Benard Justice and Homer of Flatwoods, Kentucky, and his brother and sister-in-law Charles “Bud” and Carrie Hewlett Benard of Deer Park Texas.
His nieces and nephews meant the world to him: Angie Hayes Cann (Andy) of Cincinnati, Ohio; Alison Benard Peregoy (Don) of Deer Park, Texas; Mark Justice (Norma) of Flatwoods, Kentucky (Mark preceded Paul in death.); David Justice of Flatwoods, Kentucky; Kara Butler Hourdas of Lexington, Kentucky; and Matt Butler (Melinda) of Satellite Beach Florida. Of utmost importance to him, he will be survived by the memories of his family and friends and the communities that he served while in the field of dentistry.

Paul was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints and previously of the First Church of Christ, Wethersfield, Connecticut.

A private ceremony will be held at a later date