Peter Benjamin “Ben” Muse of Addison, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on June 14th. He was only 32 years old. Our family is devastated by this loss of a son, brother, fiancé, nephew, and cousin. Ben was born on July 9, 1990 in Dallas, TX to parents Peter Hulst Muse and Jo Carolyn Denton Muse. Ben joined his older brother Denton in completing their family of four.
Ben attended Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, TX, where he played basketball for the Trojans and cultivated lifelong friendships. Upon graduation in 2008, Ben joined Denton in Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University where he excelled academically and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He graduated in 2012 with a Magna Cum Laude degree in finance.
Ben initially went to work for Ryan Consulting, a global tax service company. Most recently, he worked for Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, and enjoyed a tremendous learning relationship with his boss Tyler Paul. Ben was quickly promoted through the ranks, ultimately achieving Vice President - Senior Underwriter.
Ben’s hobbies were full of the outdoors, adventures, and sports. He continued his love of basketball as an avid Dallas Mavericks fan. Card collecting became a passion and he developed an extensive collection of prized memorabilia and rare cards including pieces from his favorite players such as Luka Dončić and Dirk Nowitzki. He cheered on all Dallas sports including the Stars and the Cowboys through their best and worst seasons. Ben was extremely fit and found exhilaration, a sense of accomplishment and peace when “crushing it” at the gym. His winter passion was snowboarding, especially in Taos, New Mexico and Telluride, Colorado.
The bond between brothers was established early on in Ben and Denton’s childhood. Despite daily adolescent wrestling matches and the occasional tears to accompany the contests, the two of them were inseparable. The younger brother looked up to the older brother, and the older brother looked after the younger brother.
As strong as the fraternal bond was, there was another to rival or even exceed it. Ben’s infatuation with his niece Collins was returned and even amplified. Collins will always remember the beauty of the last time she saw him. They chased each other around the yard. Collins was stealing his hat, and Denton had to remind her that her “Uncle Ben needs breaks,” but Ben kept playing. His energy tank filled with her laughter and the constant outcry of “Uncle Ben come and get me.” It will be a sweet and lasting memory for Collins and her family to hold onto.
As Ben began High School, he met Charese Cook in his biology class, who sat by him that first day. Their friendship continued through high school graduation and grew through their college years at Texas Tech. Many years later, in early 2021, “the stars aligned” and their next chapter began. They shared a love of travel and took advantage of every opportunity to embark on new adventures. In the fall of 2021, they traveled to Kauai, Hawaii to hike, explore and enjoy the ocean. In 2022, Ben and Charese skied in Taos Ski Valley, traveled to Oregon, and enjoyed many relaxing weekends at Cedar Creek Lake. In the fall, they experienced bike riding in Amsterdam, chocolates in Brugge and the magic of Paris. On April 8th, 2023, Ben proposed to Charese. She said, “Yes.” At home, they shared an interest in gardening and in their dogs, especially their Cane Corso mastiffs, Willow, and Clover along with their boxer mix, Beau, who Ben referred to as his “biddy buddy.”
Ben is survived by his parents, Jody Denton Cooper (husband Paul Cooper) of Dallas and Pete Muse (wife Valerie Muse) of Carrollton, his older brother Denton Muse and his family, wife Haley, daughter Collins and son Cullen. Two aunts, Jane Denton Jones (husband Rick) of Houston and Mimi Leineberg (husband Tom) of northern Chicago, IL. He shared family experiences over the years with his six cousins, Abigail Jones, and Allison Weaver (husband John) of Houston, Toby Driscoll of Colorado, Josh Driscoll of Illinois, Kristen Gruber of Kalispell, Montana, and Kate Dell of Iowa.
Through his kindness and forethought, Ben decided to be an organ donor. He will live on in others via donations of his eyes, corneas, skin, bones, and soft tissues. We treasure the lives he will enhance through his generous decision.
A celebration of Ben’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 21st at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home at 7990 President George Bush Turnpike, Dallas beginning at 1:00. The family will host a reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to The Luka Dončić foundation or The Dirk Nowitzki foundation in Ben’s honor.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17