Senator Ben Espy

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Senator Ben Espy was an esteemed lawyer, public servant, distinguished politician, trailblazer, community leader, friend, husband, and father, who made significant contributions to the city of Columbus and the state of Ohio. His life’s story is a testament to his dedication to justice, equality, service, and leadership. 

Bennie “Ben” Eugene Espy was born on July 12, 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee to Inez and Bennie Espy. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Sandusky, Ohio and being the only boy and baby of the family, “Little Bennie” as he was affectionately called, was doted on by his two older sisters, Rozene and Elaine. 

Ben’s educational journey began at Sandusky High School in 1961, where he excelled academically and as an All-American football player and track athlete. He pursued his education at The Ohio State University on a football scholarship playing under the legendary coach Woody Hayes and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1965. Ben furthered his education by obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from the Howard University School of Law in 1968. 

In 1962, while a student at The Ohio State University, Ben met his beloved wife of 54 years, Kathlynne Bruce Duffy. Ben and Kathy were married on September 3, 1967 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Toledo, Ohio. They began their life together in Washington, D.C., and their union blessed them with four daughters: Elizabeth, Amy, Laura, and Lynnette. 

Ben built a career that combined legal practice with public service. He began as a corporate lawyer for Allegheny Airlines, Inc. in Washington, D.C., in 1968. A year later, he joined the United States Air Force, serving as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate at Hancock Field Air Force Base in Syracuse, New York. In 1972, Ben and Kathy returned to Columbus, Ohio and Ben joined the State Attorney General's Office, first as the Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Division and later transferring to the Division of Criminal Activities. 

In 1977, Ben established his own law practice, the Espy Law Firm, which he maintained until 2021. In 1982, Ben made his foray into local politics winning a seat on the Columbus City Council where he served as President Pro Tempore until 1992. His resilience and remarkable determination made Ben a formidable attorney, a tireless advocate, and a dedicated public servant. 

Ben demonstrated that resilience in 1984, when he survived a life-threatening accident while on the way to his Columbus City Council meeting, when a falling concrete cornice severed his right leg below the knee. After the injury, he said, “As long as you don’t have your spirit amputated, you will be okay,” once again proving his strength and persistence. 

Ben was the founder of the Columbus Youth Corps, a summer employment and job readiness program for inner-city youth, which earned recognition as a "Point of Light" from President George H.W. Bush. He was especially proud of this program and took top achievers to Disney World every summer. For many years after, young men and women would approach him and say how much of an impact the Youth Corp had on their lives. 

Ben’s commitment to honoring civil rights and community leadership led him to establish the annual City of Columbus-Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration and March which continues to this day. He was also the visionary behind "The Job Show," an award-winning municipal cable television program that connected job seekers with opportunities. 

In 1991, Ben mounted a historic Mayoral campaign but soon after transitioned to state politics after receiving an appointment to the Ohio Senate 15th District in 1992. He won the election to fill the remainder of the term and a full term in 1994. In the Ohio Senate, he rose to prominence as Assistant Minority Leader (1994-1996) and later as Minority Leader (1996-2000). He served until term limits led to his departure in 2002. He ran for the Ohio Supreme Court in 2006. Ben continued his private practice and served as special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General. 

Always striving to serve, Ben was a dedicated member of several committees during his legislative career, including the Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment Committee, the Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice, and various special committees. 

Throughout his life, Ben received numerous accolades, some of which include the Ohio Democratic Party Meryl Shoemaker Award, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association Legislator of the Year, Ohio Hunger Task Force Legislator of the Year, and The Ohio State University's Distinguished Service Award. He was inducted into the Sandusky High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Carter G. Woodson Hall of Fame of the Columbus Area Chapter of Blacks in Government.

Ben's numerous affiliations reflected his unwavering dedication to community and professional excellence. He was a member of the Columbus Bar Association, Ohio Bar Association, National Bar Association, Sigma Delta Tau Legal Fraternity, 50 Year Member (Senior Kappa) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Ben was also a Prince Hall Mason and a member of St. Mark's Lodge #7 as well as a member of the Merry Makers Club, The oldest African-American social club in Columbus.

Ben and Kathy had entrepreneurial spirits. When their daughter, Amy, demonstrated a talent for gymnastics, Kathy and Ben suddenly had to drive to the north side of Columbus multiple times a week. Recognizing a gap in this service in the local community, they opened a gymnastics school in the early 1980’s on the East side of Columbus, named Americana Gymnastics. Americana provided the foundation and opportunity for many inner-city youth to train, many of whom went on to achieve outstanding collegiate careers. It was another example of his impact on the community at large. 

Always a sports fan, Ben created Rah Rags. Inc., which were square felt pieces with team logos on them designed to wave at sports games to show team spirit. He most recently created an inspirational deck of cards that he provided to prisons to uplift inmates as they played a good ole’ game of spades. 

Beyond his storied career as an attorney, public servant, and entrepreneur, Ben was a family man, cherishing them above all. He loved going on family vacations with his daughters, sons-in-law, and 11 grandchildren, especially family cruises. Ben was an avid Ohio State fan, having served on the Big 10 Commission and had season tickets to OSU football for decades. If you were looking for him on any given Saturday during football season, you would find him at the game with his partner in crime and brother-in-law, Frank Duffy. 

Ben had a great sense of humor, often putting on a scary mask, throwing a fake snake on you, telling a corny joke or tickling his grandbabies to make them laugh. He laughed with his whole body and everyone laughed with him. 

Ben will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for his legacy and the indelible mark left on the many lives he touched. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Inez and Bennie Espy, his sisters, Rozene Augustus, and Elaine Johnson, and his beloved wife, Kathlynne Duffy Espy. He leaves to mourn his passing, their four daughters, Elizabeth, Amy (David), Laura (Stephen), Lynnette (Ko J), 11 grandchildren, Nina, Lelia, Brooklynne, Kendall, Avery, Brynn, Jackson, Andrew, Ellis, Lydia, and Olivia; nephews, Mark Johnson (Mary) and Joshua Duffy-Cooper; nieces, Kaye Lynn Burel (Glenn), Carla Augustus, Tiffanie Augustus; Josie Duffy (Zak), and Rosa Duffy; Brother-in-Laws, Franklyn Duffy (Rosanna), Eugene Duffy (Norrene), and Carl Augustus; Sister-in-Law, Rosemary Duffy-Cooper (Robert), and a host of cousins, extended family and close friends.