Benjamin Franklin Hafer, III

Benjamin Franklin Hafer, III entered eternal rest on November 4, 2026. Beloved husband of Cara Mothe Hafer for 33 years. Father of Julia Stover (Randy), Lauren La Salle (Cory), and Lydia Hafer (Chas Gravelle). Grandfather of Maren and Mylah. Son of the late Benjamin Hafer, Jr. and Florence Kucy Hafer. Brother of Robert Hafer (Noga), Douglas Hafer (Julianne), and Cheryl H. Jones (Derek). Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Age 64 years, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, a resident of Conroe, TX and most recently New Orleans, LA.

Ben was a veteran of both the Canadian Army and the United States Army. A dual citizen of Canada and the United States, Ben came to America in pursuit of his dream of flying helicopters, joining the U.S. Army in 1980. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1989 with a degree in Aviation. He achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 and flew and maintained the AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter. Following his military service, Ben spent several years in the oilfield industry, flying crew-change operations.

In 1991, Ben began his career with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a street agent in New Orleans, where he met his wife, Cara. In 1993, he was selected for a Special Agent/Pilot position in Hilo, Hawaii, where he served for six years. He then moved to Houston, Texas, in 1999 to serve as a helicopter and airplane pilot for the DEA. During his time in Houston, Ben became a helicopter Check Airman and was selected to join the DEA’s newly formed Tactical Helicopter Section (THS), flying Bell 412 helicopters throughout North and Central America.

While working in Honduras, Ben earned the nickname "Iceman" for his remarkable calmness in extreme situations, particularly while linking up with a CH-47 refueler affectionately known as the "fat cow!"

Always willing to take on special assignments, Ben provided aerial support as part of the security team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Among his many professional accomplishments, he received the United States Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, the second-highest honor bestowed by the Attorney General, for his contributions to the rescue and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. He was also recognized with numerous awards and Letters of Commendation from the Houston Police Department for his exceptional work over the years.

Ben retired on December 31, 2019, after 29 years of service from the South Central Aviation Resident Office (SCARO) in Conroe, Texas. Throughout his military and DEA flying career, he accumulated nearly 20,000 accident-free flight hours. He was a valued mentor and trusted friend to many within the DEA, fiercely loyal to his work and deeply respected by his peers.

Ben loved the outdoors and was a lifelong, avid runner. An adventurous traveler at heart, he was always eager to explore new places and experience all that the world had to offer. Over the course of his life, his adventures took him to six of the world’s seven continents. During his career, our family had the wonderful opportunity to live in Hilo, Hawaii, where we thoroughly explored the islands and were fortunate enough to witness the majesty of the ever-erupting Kilauea Volcano.

Above all, Ben was devoted to his family and found his greatest happiness in his wife and children. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and colleagues, and fondly remembered for a life filled with adventure, dedication, and love.

Relatives and Friends of the Family are invited to attend the Service in the Chapel of MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 11am. Interment Private. Visitation will be held from 9am until service time

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Ben’s memory by helping restore nature through planting a tree or making a donation toward research to end Alzheimer’s disease.