It is with both sorrow & gratitude that we mark the passing of Jeff Benson, who departed this world on the night of Friday, July 25th, after losing the battle to a Glioblastoma (brain cancer) at the age of 68. He leaves behind a legacy of storytelling, humor, & shenanigans that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Jeffrey Rand Benson was born on November 15, 1956, in Worland, WY, the second child & first son of Jim & Belle Benson. He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on March 6, 1965, in Worland, Wyoming. He lived in Worland, Laramie, Riverton Dubois, & Cody WY & in 1971 moved to Colstrip, MT when he was in the 8th grade. He played football for all 4 years & was the Outstanding Player of the Year his senior year. Jeff graduated in 1975 from CHS.
Jeff tried to join the Army, but due to knee surgery, was released honorably from his contract. He started working at the Colstrip Mine with his Dad shortly after graduating. In 1977 he met Debi Jean & they were married August 27th of that year. They had three children, daughter Amber Leigh, & sons Zachary & Spenser. Jeff's favorite title, however, was "Papa" & enjoyed spending time with his 4 grandsons.
Jeff loved to be outdoors & was an avid fisherman & loved to go hunting & camping. He spent 62 years camping & fishing on the Big Horn Mountains. with his family. He was involved in Scouting & helped both his sons to earn their Eagle Scout. Jeff enjoyed playing sports & after retirement especially enjoyed golfing. He & Debi liked to travel & were able to go on many adventures together including England, Italy, & many places in the US. They began to "snowbird" to Kerrville, TX in the winter of 2021 & gained many new friends there. Jeff had his own construction business, J.A.Z.S.D. General Contracting, for a time. He also was a talented lathe worker & turned many bowls, candle sticks, cups, lazy susans & "hootchinannies."
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Jim, sons Zachary & Spenser, & his brother Joel.
Jeff is survived by "the best wife ever," Debi Jean, most favorite daughter Amber (Jeffrey) Binns, grandsons Landyn Benson, Xavier, Ryker, & Eli Binns, his mother Belle, & siblings Debra (Brent) Parks, Lance (Wendy) Benson, Lisa (Dave) Lewis, Karan (Michael) Reno, & Bart (Laura) Benson, his nieces & nephews, as well as many other cherished relatives & friends.
Services have taken place in Colstrip. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home have been entrusted with arrangements. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website at
www.stevensonandsons.com. Jeffrey Rand Benson
Published by Forsyth Independent Press from Aug. 6 to Aug. 7, 2025.