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Gene A. Benskin
Gene A. Benskin, 82, passed away Nov. 24, 2016.
Gene was born Feb. 3, 1934 in Jedsonia, Arkansas. When he was about six, his parents, Marion & Martina Benskin moved him and his five sisters to Arizona. Most of his childhood was spent on the family farm in York Valley, Arizona. Gene has always been an animal lover and had a variety of strange and interesting pets, including a monkey and a chipmunk among others. He loved to share stories about his animals, how he came to have them and the adventures they had.
Gene was in both the Army and the Marines. He proudly fought in the Korean War. He liked to share stories about when Marilyn Monroe came to entertain the troops.
He was an avid outdoors man who loved to fish, hunt, and camp. He enjoyed sharing these activities with his family. He spent many fishing trips with his Mom and sisters. He also taught his kids and grandkids to love and appreciate the outdoors.
Gene was known for his easy going ways and the twinkle in his eye. He was fun to spend time with and always had a story to make us laugh. The ladies were always drawn to him and his carefree ways. He was married to Flora Jean for 35 years before she preceded him in death. Together they raised three children, Cindee, Bud, and Dee in Superior. He later married Carole Reams and they were married for 9 years before she preceded him in death. They enjoyed many adventures together.
The majority of Gene’s life was spent working under ground in the copper mines of Arizona. He enjoyed the hard work and retired from Magma Copper in 1994.
More than anything Gene loved his family, he never missed sending a birthday card to anyone from his kids down to the great great grand kids and their families. It was something we could always count on.
Gene is survived by his son, Alvie (Bud) Benskin and his wife Sheryl, Dolores (Dee) Porter and her husband Mark; grandchildren, Shelly (Allen), Robert (Kim), Russell (Stephanie), Corey (Cheryl), Cody, Miranda, Alex, and Matthew; great-grandchildren, Emilee, Robert, Breanne, Logan, Chloe, Olivia, and Elliott; great-great-grandchildren, Emoree, Zoee, Bardock and Penny.
He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed!
Services are Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at the Magma Club in Superior, Arizona. Visitation will be at noon and the Funeral Service at 1 p.m., with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Superior, Arizona.
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