About 4 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, God stepped to the portals of glory, pulled back the curtain of time and ushered Ronald M. Benjamin into the presence of Jesus. The youngest of three children, Ron was born Nov. 24, 1934, to Milton and Elvira Benjamin. His childhood days were spent on the family farm in Southwick with his parents, brother and sister.
After graduating from Kendrick High School in 1952, he attended the Western Pilgrim College where he graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Theology.
Ron pastored the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Weippe for a time, worked at Evergreen Tire and then was employed by Potlatch until he retired in 1994.
He married Elinor Townsend in 1953. Three children were born to that union. They were later divorced. In 1975 he married Patricia (Pat) Lodge and was instrumental in raising three of her five children. Pat passed away January 1994. He and Eunice Keller were married April 8, 2006.
Ron loved the Lord and spent hours reading and studying the Word. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting and spending time at the cabin. Time with his family was very special to him and he could often be found at his children's and grandchildren's school activities or games.
He attended the United Methodist Church in Anatone and the Wesleyan Church in Clarkston.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Elvira Benjamin; his sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Ervin Fry; and former wife, Patricia Benjamin.
He is survived by is wife, Eunice; his brother and sister-in-law, Verlin (Marilyn) Benjamin; a special mother-in-law, Laura Townsend; children, Doug (Lynda) Benjamin, Karen (Dan) Tweedy, Ed (Tena) Benjamin, Lynn (Keith) Hawkins, Doug (Darci) Lodge, Larry (Terri) Lodge, Lori (Dan) Long, Carol (Norman) Hough, Raeann Ferguson (Gary Jones), Gary Ferguson, Mike Ferguson, Mark (Jenny) Ferguson; 30 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Merchant Funeral Home. The Rev. Dallas Dodd and the Rev. Wilber Clark will officiate.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the charity of choice.
