Gary Joseph Benjamin

Gary "Ben" Joseph Benjamin, entered into rest on August 27, 2018 surrounded by family and friends at his home in Overgaard, Arizona at the age of 75. He was born on October 2, 1942 in Fort Madison, Iowa to Dale and Lucille Benjamin. Gary spent his young years in Fort Madison, Iowa, where he attended middle school and high school, and grew up along the Mississippi River. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17, and served honorably for three and a half years in Berlin, Germany where he met his wife Christel. Upon returning from Germany and being discharged from the Army, he moved to Mesa, Arizona. After moving to Arizona in 1963, Gary was employed at Mountain Bell Telephone Company for 26 years. In 1965, Gary and Christel welcomed their daughter, Audrey. After retiring from the telephone company in 1990, Gary moved to Overgaard, Arizona. He was then employed at the U.S. Forest Service in 1993, where he worked for 13 years.

Gary will be remembered as a person who enjoyed talking to anyone he met. He was often seen visiting with friends and neighbors and helping them with anything he was able to. He kept in touch with his Iowa classmates, and enjoyed attending family and school reunions. He loved being out in the forest, taking his dog Sadie squirrel hunting, fishing with family, and exploring the outdoors. Like Sadie, he had many other hunting and fishing dogs that he loved and was very close to including Amber, Sunshine, and Misty. Anyone that knew him, knew he always had the best stories about his experiences outdoors, and how proud he was to have such a great squirrel dog. He loved going to swap meets and collecting Rosaries, Coleman Lanterns, old license plates, pocket knives, watch fobs, payphones, and other various antique items that he would refurbish. He was an extremely talented wood-worker, and made beautiful picture frames, candle holders, antler letter openers, birdhouses, and many other crafts. Gary was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend and will be dearly missed.

Gary is survived by his wife, Christel of 48 years. Also surviving is his daughter, Audrey Creamer, sons Billy John Beaird (Duc), and Michael Beaird, granddaughters Stevie Studer and Kenessa Beaird, grandson John Michael Beaird, brother Darrell Benjamin (Nancy), sisters Linda Smith (David), Elaine Truelove (Jerry), and Twila Orr, sister-in-law Carol Benjamin, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Lucille Benjamin, two brothers, Patrick and Juan Benjamin, and two sons, Kenneth and Brian Beaird.

Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at the Heber Overgaard Cemetery, 1787 Memorial Park Rd., Heber, Arizona 85928 at 1:00 p.m. Gary’s nephew Matthew Benjamin, who is a priest in the U.S. Marine Corps, will be conducting the services. Family, friends, and anyone that knew and loved Gary are welcome to attend.