Gordon Clair Benson

Gordon Clair Benson 84, passed away peacefully in the arms of his sweetheart at his home in Logan, Utah on March 8, 2012. Gordon was born on January 1, 1928 in Magna, Utah. He was the seventh of eight children born to Ora and Emma Burris Benson. Within a year or two of Gordon's birth, the family moved to Logan, Utah. He attended Cache Valley schools and worked in the family logging business. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an MP at Camp Lee, Virginia. Gordon married Monta Hemmert on Sept. 21, 1948, in the Logan LDS temple, which, he says, was one of the most significant experiences of his life. Gordon and Monta lived in Logan, and Gordon worked for Logan City. In 1977 the family moved to Bondurant, Wyoming where they had a family dude ranch and hunting/outfitting business. He also owned and ran Benson Excavating. They stayed in Wyoming until retirement when they moved back to Logan. Gordon had a great love of horses and a gifted ability to train them. His favorite, Ala Kas, was not only his pride and joy, but also his friend and companion. One of his favorite activities was to go horseback riding with Monta in the mountains or the desert. He loved being outdoors, and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in a variety of callings including scout master, ward mission leader, and stake missionary. In November of 1995 Gordon and Monta were called on a 12 month LDS service mission assigned with the Farm Management Company. They served in Florida on the Deseret Cattle and Citrus Ranch, the LDS Church farm in Elberta, Utah, and the Sun Ranch Martin's Cove in Wyoming. He is survived by his wife Monta, 8 children; Brock Bonnie Benson, Brenda Blain, Todd Gayl Benson, Ronda David Welch, Matt Kathy Benson, Monta Faye David Brown, Lisa Hughes Benson daughter-in-law, Tauna David Christiansen, Shana Karl Southam, one sister, Ruth Bill Sampson, 46 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren . He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Russ Benson, son-in-law, Johnathan Blain, grandson Enoch Brown, and siblings, Luther Leone Benson, Dean Anna Benson, Annie Evelyn, Margaret Sanford Mallory, Faye Tom Balls, Lola Jim Balls, and his favorite horse Alla Kas. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at the Logan Fourth Ward LDS chapel, 294 North 100 East, Logan, Utah. A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Monday, March 12, at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, and from 10:30-11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 13, at the Fourth Ward LDS chapel. Interment will be in the Hyrum Cemetery. Family members express appreciation to Access Home Care and Hospice who provided excellent care for Gordon in recent months.