Eugene Edwin Benner Jr.

Eugene Edwin Benner, Jr. age 69 tragically passed from this life the evening of January 6th, 2005 from injuries incurred in an automobile accident outside of Belden, California. Eugene was born in Placerville, California to the late Eugene, Sr. and Indian Valley native, Eydtha J. Armstrong Potts Benner on July 6th, 1935. He spent his youth in Indian Valley where he attended Greenville Elementary and Greenville High School. Being somewhat untruthful about his age he joined the National Guard at the age of sixteen and shortly thereafter was called to active duty to serve with the U.S. Army as a member of the elite 82nd Airborne Division recieving basic and advanced training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He went on to serve in Korea while also being stationed in Japan and Hawaii during his military career. Eugene competed as a member of the Army's Boxing Team. Following his honorable discharge from the military he returned to Indian Valley where he worked in the woods and under the tutelage of his father learned the art of driving truck and operating heavy equipment. In 1964 the family relocated to Sonora, CA. He retired from the Louisiana Pacific Corporation after twenty five years of service to the company as a heavy equipment operator. Although Eugene left Indian Valley forty years ago he still kept the needs of the areas Native American residents, a heritage he was so proud of, close in hand. He was one of the founding fathers of the Greenville Rancheria and was currently serving as their Secretary/Treasurer, while also remaining active in the Indian Mission Pentecostal Church where he was baptized as a young child and was a life long member. Eugene was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and Harley Davidson aficionado. He was a member of the Old Timers Motor Cycle Club an organization of current and former motocross competitors, a charter member of the Modesto Chapter of the Harley Davidson Owners Group, the Top Hatters Motorcycle Club as well as serving as President of the Sons of Pacifica Motorcycle Club. Eugene had been a long time member of the Sonora Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. He enjoyed the outdoors through hunting and fishing as well as touring on his motorcycle, along with being a fan of NASCAR he attended numerous West Coast venues. Eugene also enjoyed playing the guitar. Eugene is survived by his son Reb Benner of Greenville, CA, daughters, Valda Calvert of San Francisco, CA and Sandra S. Benner of Sonora, CA, his precious grandchildren Marty Lawrence of Soulsbyville, CA, Taryn Ramirez of Reno, Nevada, Derek Wilson of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Tyler Schatz of Reno, Nevada and Troy Schatz of Sonora, CA along with eight great grandchildren. Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his son Lance and daughter Joni Wilson. Following a private family visitation and cremation, a celebration of Eugene's life will take place at Noon, Friday January 21st, 2005 at the Indian Mission Pentecostal Church on North Valley Road outside of Greenville, California. Private disposition of his cremains will take place at a later date. An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at www.fehrmanmortuary.com. The family suggests any remembrances in Eugene's memory be made the the Sacramento Shrinners Childrens Hospital c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory P.O. Box 803 Greenville, CA 95947.