Lee "HOON" Benton

Lee “Hoon” Benton

Obituary

Robert Lee “Hoon” Benton, Junior; son of Robert “Bob” Lee Benton Senior and Mabel Bond Benton; younger brother to Eugena; and older brother to Roger “Hodge” was born on February 21, 1933 in the family home in Joes, and died May 2, 2016 in Denver, Colorado due to complications resulting from a stroke.

Hoon was born, and lived most of his life, in the family home at Joes.  He spent his childhood growing up in the Joes community and was very proud of farming, ranching, playing ball, the country lifestyle, rodeoing and the values that he was immersed in as a child.  He graduated from Joes High School in 1951 after having the opportunity to participate in high school sports, which included basketball and baseball, which were quite successful with a couple trips to the State Basketball Tournament.  After graduation in 1951, Hoon ventured out to explore different careers like uranium prospecting, ranch hand, following the rodeo circuit as a bull rider, and working on different harvest crews.

During the end of the Korean War, Hoon was drafted into the Army on March 23, 1953, followed by boot camp in Fort Riley, and then he served at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.  When he was honorably discharged on March 10, 1955, he returned to the Joes area and married Merna Wood who had been a close friend, despite her being from the rival town of Kirk.  They wed May 22, 1956 in Raton, New Mexico.  To this union four children were born:  Lynn, Mel, Dar, and Marv.  Hoon and Merna moved to Nucla, Colorado where Hoon drove an ore truck for three years.  The family moved back to the Joes community and pursued ranching and farming in 1962. 

Hoon and Merna were married for 45 years and they lived their lives taking care of their cattle, a little farming, raising their kids and then lending a hand in being a major influence in their grandchildren’s lives.  Merna died on June 15, 2001 from injuries incurred in a car wreck.  At that time Hoon continued to ranch/farm and being involved with family and community.

Hoon loved his family unconditionally, as well as:  rain; being a cattleman; his cattle; his grass up north; good neighbors; his numerous friends and community members; family get-togethers;  community get-togethers; living rural; and bull riders.  He served his community as a member of the Joes Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Chief for several years throughout his life.  He took this responsibility very seriously.

Hoon never met a stranger and could find more similarities with, other than differences with these people.  He had a great capacity for love and accepted everyone despite their economics, ethnicity, age, abilities, checkered background, or status in life; and they were always welcome in his home and at his table.  If he perceived any kind of need he would willingly give the shirt off his back to help those in need.  He made a difference in many lives by helping and assisting others to meet their potential.  He did, however, have little tolerance for people he believed were pretentious or greedy, AND he didn’t mind letting them know.

Hoon’s faith in God was manifested in how he lived his life and his appreciation of the world around him.  He truly believed that he needed to take care of people who were not as blessed as he was, and did this on a daily basis.  He loved the land and realized his blessing, and took pride in taking good care of it.  Hoon spent lots of hours in his pastures and checking his cows where he felt great gratification.

Hoon will always be known for his wit, disarming humor, his humility, a rich history of experiences, and the ability to tell a story.  He didn’t take himself very serious, but was a very proud man.  He was never politically correct and liked to needle people with comments on politics, especially, when their politics did not align themselves with his views.

A family friend recently said that Hoon was a national treasure.  His family and close friends agree because he has left us all with a legacy of love, generosity, being genuine, and a good neighbor.  Weall feel it was a life well lived.

Hoon is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Mabel Benton, father and mother-law Harvey and Dale Wood, older sister Eugena, younger brother Hodge, wife Merna,  grandchildren Cole, Kacey, and Trevor, sister-in-laws Lois, Marilyn, and Rosie, niece Charlene, nephews Wes, Wayne, Randy, Todd, and Larry.  He leaves to mourn his passing:  daughter Lynn (David), Stratton; brothers Mel (Deb), Sterling; Dar (Denise), Laird; and Marv (Ruth), Ft. Collins.  Grandchildren:  Brandon (Erin), Akron; Nate (Raina), Limon; Brianna (Matt), Stratton; Nik (Whitney), Yuma; Tyler, Glenwood Springs; Kassidee (Jace), Joes; Brooke (Justin), Napa, California; and Lane, Ft. Collins.  Great Grandchildren:   Isabel Hill, Braelyn Benton, Benton Kastner, Ledger Benton, Rylee Hill, Avery Benton, and Scarlett Kastner.  Others include nieces, nephews, and in-laws who have been a part of his life.

Hoon will be laid to rest with his wife, parents, sister, and grandchildren on May 7, 2016 in the Yuma Cemetery.  Memorials can be given to the Joes Volunteer Fire Department in Hoon’s name.