Ben Bungo Tanaka

Tremonton, UT - Ben Bungo Tanaka, 84, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2009 at the Aspen Care Center surrounded by loving family, after an extended illness. He was born December 14, 1924 to Bunemon and Isono Tanaka in Tremonton, Utah.
He married Flora Kaneko, March 6, 1949 in Tremonton, Utah.
He was raised on the Tremonton family farm and graduated from Bear River High School. During his years at Bear River he served as senior class president, participated in 4-H, FFA, and track. He served in the US Army during World War II as an interpreter. He ran the family farm prior to starting his auctioneering, livestock trading, and announcing career. He auctioned in Ogden, Burley, Preston, North Salt Lake and Smithfield for over 40 years. He annually auctioned at the Oneida, Caribou, Evanston, and Weber County Fair sales as well as the Utah State Fair.
Annually at the Box Elder County Fair, Ben served as the horse show and horse race announcer, livestock sale auctioneer, and held many positions in the Box Elder County Sheriff's Posse.
He was honored as the 1991 Box Elder County Fair Parade Grand Marshall and in 2002, received the Community Service Humanitarian Award and Bear River High School Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ben volunteered his auctioneering talents to many fundraising auctions in the intermountain area. He was invited to sing at over 100 funerals.
Ben is survived by his wife, Flora; children: Sharon Little, Marilyn Russell Kemp, Larry, Archie Mayumi, and Annette Joe Murphy; grandchildren: Andrea Staheli, Shane Little, Cassee McCleary, Courtney Raines, Erik Kemp, Risa and Toshi Tanaka; great-grandchildren: Zoey Raines and Reagan McCleary.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Fumio, and sisters: Edythe Kaneko, Ruby Yamasaki, and Mary Inouye.
A funeral service will be held Monday, February 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tremonton South Stake Center, 1150 South Tremont St., Tremonton with Bishop Norman Fukui officiating. Friends and family may call from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2009 and Monday from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at the church Interment at the Tremonton Riverview Cemetery where military honors will be accorded.
The family wishes to express deep appreciation to Dr. Lynn Beard, Mission Health Services, the Bear River Care Center, Aspen Care Center of Ogden and Comfort Hospice Care.