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Ivan Benham Obituary
Ivan E. Benham Sr., 83
Ivan E. Benham Sr. was escorted home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 10, 2011, after a year long battle with cancer. Ivan was surrounded by his wife of 63 years as well as numerous family members.
Ivan was born August 8, 1927, in Brownwood, TX to John Daniel and Mattie Helen Benham. He was the youngest of eight brothers and two sisters. All of his brothers had served the in the service and he also wanted to join the Navy. He was too young, but a creative story got him in at the end of WW II. He also served a year in the reserves.
Ivan met the love of his life and married Lila Marie Bradley on May 8, 1948, in Alamogordo by Tice Elkins. Ivan worked at Dales Grocery Store on New York Street before they moved to El Paso in 1952. Shortly after, he went to work for El Paso Natural Gas Company. He was with EPNG for 35 years. Three of those years he and Lila lived in Algeria. He and Lila retired back in Alamogordo and have lived at Dog Canyon for 25 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mattie, sisters Bettie Mae and Eva Nell; brothers, Burt, Fred, Bill, Henry, Johnny, and Melvin; and grandson, Richard Coy.
Ivan is survived by his wife of the family home; daughters, Carolyn Carnly of Alamogordo, Bettie Lou Bumgardner of Clovis, NM, and son Ivan ""Butch"" Benham, Jr., of Lewisville, TX. He was proud to say he had 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his brother, Frank, of Staten Island, NY, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family will greet friends Thursday, January 13, 2011, from 4p.m to 7p.m. at Alamogordo Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 14, 2011, at 10:00a.m., at Cuba Avenue Church of Christ with Al Maxey officiating.
Interment will follow at Monte Vista Cemetery.
His grandsons will serve as pallbearers and great grandsons as honorary pallbearers.
The family wants to extend a special thank you to Dr. Korec, Diane, Amy, Jenny, Nancy, and the entire staff at the Otero County Oncology Center for making an unbearable thing bearable.
Should friends desire, donations may be made in Ivan's name to the Food Pantry at Cuba Avenue Church of Christ or to the Otero County Oncology Center.
The Benham family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ivan Benham
karen French
January 15, 2020
I love you BenhamS!
Donna Varner
January 6, 2020
Dearest Uncle Ivan, I think of you almost daily and have some beautiful memories of our times together. You will always be in my heart.
Mike Casey
January 26, 2011
Mr. Benham,
Sir I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served in the USN during WW II and for being a member of the Greatest Generation. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Fair Winds And Following Seas
Monica Benham
January 20, 2011
Our Dearest Aunt Lila and family,
We are very sorry to know that Uncle Ivan is no longer with us. He was a loving uncle, husband and father. Time passes so quickly and it’s hard to believe it has been 10 years since our visit to NM. Looking at the many pictures we took often reminds us of that wonderful yet short time we spent with you all. It will long be remembered. I think of you often Aunt Lila and I know you are a strong person. Memories are a wonderful thing to remind us of what we had and to keep them close to our hearts.
Life is short and fleeting and it makes us think about our lot in life and what we are doing.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
Monica Benham, Jillian and Eric Arini
Ivan Earl Benham III
January 18, 2011
My Papa is the greatest man I have ever known. He is someone that I will always look up to. He was a tremendous role model to me and many others in our family. I am still numb to the thought of him not being here. I thought my Papa would be here forever. I only hope that I can be half the man that he was. I am so proud to have his name. My dearest Gaga told me to continue living my life like him and that I was already doing that. Those are some mighty big shoes to fill. I miss you Papa and I love you so much.
You grandson,
Ivan Earl Benham III
Karen French
January 18, 2011
I will miss my Ivan hug every Sunday. Love you Lila, Carollyn, Bettielou and Butch.
leif hayman
January 18, 2011
ivan was a caring person he will be miss by many
Jean Ellis
January 15, 2011
Though the days ahead will be lonely, remember the good times, the hard times and all the love that held those times to this time, because even in death there is love. God loved Ivan and gave him peace. God Loves you Lila may you also know peace and that we love you too. God's blessings be with you in this time of trial.
Carol D McKenzie
January 14, 2011
Dearest Lila-My thoughts and prayers go with you and your family. Ivan was a dear, sweet man, and is even now, smiling warmly down from his place at the Lord's side. So, every time a beam of sunlight rests upon you, know that it is your Ivan letting you know that he is still with you. My love and prayers go with you and yours-Carol(Darlean) McKenzie
January 14, 2011
Getting to finally meet our Uncle Ivan was truly a wonderful time in our lives. Bryan, Brynda Sue and Bill Benham love all of you. "Our prayers are with you Aunt Lila and the rest of the family. It was very special to us to visit with a kind and gentle famly." We are truly blessed to have Uncle Ivan and Aunt Lila in our lives. We love you. Sue Benham Sheets(Albuquerque)
January 14, 2011
Getting to finally meet our Uncle Ivan was truly a wonderful time in our lives. Bryan, Brynda Sue and Bill Benham love all of you. "Our prayers are with you Aunt Lila and the rest of the family. It was very special to us to visit with a kind and gental famly." We are truly blessed to have Uncle Ivan and Aunt Lila in our lives. We love you. Sue Benham Sheets(Albuquerque)
January 14, 2011
MAY GOD COMFORT YOU @ YOUR FAMILY-GOD LOVE EVELYN @ DANA BIRDWELL
Betty Harrison
January 14, 2011
Let My Candle Glow
Love you all
Betty
January 14, 2011
Lila, Carolyn, Bettie and Butch-
I was so very sad to learn of the loss of your precious husband and father. When someone you love dies, it leaves an empty spot in your heart which could never be filled by any other person. What a wonderful gift we have from god in memories. When you close your eyes, you can see and remember Ivan just as he was when he was happy and healthy. Soon, in a new world of god's making, all pain, suffering and sickness will be gone forever. Until then, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Bill Jensen
January 13, 2011
Dear Lila and Family -- I am praying that God's great arms of love will comfort you all in this time of mourning. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. Jeannie Andrew
January 13, 2011
I love you all and you are in my prayers. There will never be another man like Uncle Ivan. The mold was broken when he came along. I am so thankful I am part of his loving family. I will always love and miss him with all my heart. Donna Lee
LUCIANA SOLOMON
January 13, 2011
THINKING OF YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED, WE LOVE YOU ...XOXOXOXO LOVE THE SOLOMONS
Judy Howard
January 13, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Doug Lester
January 12, 2011
Lila,
Ivan was a kind and gentle spirited man who always had a word of encouragement to lift others up. I will miss him and wish I could be there for you at this time. Please know you remain on my heart.
Doug
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