Scott Allen Benson

1957 - 2023

Scott Allan Benson passed away on Friday, October 6, 2023 at the age of 66.

He was born with fiery red hair August 25, 1957 in Blackfoot, Idaho to Noel Anthon Benson and Patricia Jayne Smith Benson. He was the youngest of four children and was just one year and one day younger than his older twin sisters.

He attended school Southgate and West Center Elementary, Blackfoot Junior High, and Blackfoot High School, graduating in 1975.

After graduation he went to work for the National Forest Service in the Caribou National Forest. He was a heavy equipment operation and loved his time in the forest.

His daughter Amanda born on December 1, 1984 in Blackfoot. He deeply loved her and her 3 children.

In January of 1987 an accident took his eyesight, leaving him totally blind in both eyes. He had to relearn how to live in a sightless world. He moved to Boise and attended the Idaho School for the Blind. It was there that he met his future wife Kristine Mariner, who was also blind. They were married on June 21, 1989.

His parents encouraged him to go back to school so he enrolled in Idaho State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in History from ISU on May 13, 1993. He was a member of Phi Alpha Theta, a high honor society for individuals majoring in History. Scott was also the first person in Idaho to receive LIVE Foundation scholarship.

At Idaho State he was active in C.W. Hog (Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group). He skied, scuba dived, played softball, and hunted with the group. Scott loved it whenever he could talk someone into taking him fishing on the Snake River. He also served for many years on the State of Idaho's Independent Living Council, and served as a cub master in the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He loved talking about History to anyone who had a question. He loved reading and learning new things. He had a wonderful talent for being a kind and loving caregiver to his parents and wife.

He had a great sense of direction and even though he was blind, could navigate to wherever he needed to go. He once walked the 7 miles from Moreland to Blackfoot to see his new granddaughter who had just been born.

Scott once said in an interview, "I've been shot up, shot at, cut up, beat up, been in car wrecks, blown up, and run over by a city bus in Boise. I'm a survivor and I'm waiting to see what they come up with next to try to kill me." If you were lucky enough to know Scott, you know he had at least 9 lives and lived each one to the fullest. He had a lot of trials in his life, with health and blindness, but met each one head on with determination.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Kristine.

He is survived by his daughter Amanda Benson (John Osterhoudt) of Jerome. His brother Kirk (Sheri) Benson of Idaho Falls, sisters, Laurel Brummond and LeeAnn (Dennis) Parker both of Blackfoot. He has three grandchildren Dominic Naranjo, Donavan Naranjo, and Serinity Naranjo, all of Jerome.

The family would like to thank Aspen Home Health and Hospice of Blackfoot, especially Cassi and Darcy, for the wonderful care they gave Scott.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2023 at the Moreland Cemetery, under direction of the Hawker Funeral Home. The family will meet with friends at the Moreland LDS Church at 1:00 p.m. before proceeding to the cemetery.