Arnold “Arnie” James Benjamin, 67 of Moon Creek, Miles City, MT passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City.
Arnie was born October 22, 1945 in Miles City to Wesley James (Jim) Benjamin and Ruth (Johnson) Benjamin. He was the third of five children. He lived in Broadus, MT as an infant. His parents moved to Jack Creek, south of Miles City, when he was two years old. He started school at the SY School in 1951.
In 1956 his parents purchased a ranch on Moon Creek and this became the family home. He completed grade school at the Moon Creek School.
It was during this time that Arnie fell in love with racing horses. When Arnie was ten years of age, he jockeyed many of his Dad’s horses, being an exceptional jockey winning many races. A lifelong passion for racing and training horses began and from this time on, racing was in his blood. When he was a junior in Custer County High School, he had his own horse, Fleet Cap, which he raced in Ft. Pierre, SD. The arrival of spring always meant the end of school for Arnie and the start of going on the race horse circuit. In the 1960’s Arnie served his country in the National Guard. In 1963, Arnie raced with his dad and family at Assiniboia Downs Racetrack in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In the fall of that year, the Benjamin family hit the Montana racing circuit. For his entire life, Arnie trained and worked with horses and for many years he worked as an out-rider for the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale and all throughout Montana and Canada. Aside from the love for his family and horses Arnie loved to hunt, fish, trap and take care of his chickens and geese.
Arnie moved back to the family ranch in 1990 after the death of his dad. It was his dad’s request that Arnie and Kathie live close by, so Arnie’s mother would not be alone. Arnie and Kathie provided care for his mother for twenty years.
Arnie married Janet in 1967. They had two children, Jody and Chad. He then married Kathie Kipf on September 29, 1984 in Billings, MT. His family now included three more daughters; Shanna, Kelly, and Kerry.
Survivors include his wife Kathie of Moon Creek, his daughters Jody Lacy of Billings and Shanna Walker of Miles City, daughter Kelly Padilla of Antelope, CA, son Chad of Wolf Point, and daughter Kerry (Scott) Powell of Sheperd, MT, mother Ruth Benjamin of Miles City, brothers Ben (Eileen) Benjamin of Terry, Tom (Sherry) Benjamin of Fallon, sisters Mary (Gene) Derenburger of Miles City and Deb (Roger) Stevens of Lewistown. He is survived by 13 grandchildren, one great grandson, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his dad, Jim Benjamin.
Visitation will begin on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds Arena in Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made at Stockman Bank in Miles City.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday June 9, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Monday June 10, 2013
Eastern Montana Fairgrounds Arena
Garryowen Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Madonna (Orestad) Balsam- & Charley Balsam says
Dear Ben, Eileen,Ruth,Mary Ruth,Gene,Debbie,and families, We are so very sad to hear about Arnie,s passing. We have you all in our hearts, and prayers.We will treasure the good memories of the many years.
Most Sincerely, Donna, and Charley
Alvin and Barb Hirsch says
Kathy and Family,
Please call if there is anything we can do for you. Just know you are all in our prayers.
Terri & Rocky says
Kathy & Family
We are sorry to hear of your loss…. we just saw Arnie on the road a few days ago & chatted for a few minutes…. If you need anything let us know. Hugs and prayers to you all.
Kay Davis Berdahl says
Kathie, Jody, Chad, Shanna, Kelly and Kerry and families.
Sorry for your loss. Hold on to your memories, they will ease your loss in time.
Linda Seleg Wyse says
Benjamin family my prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time, Keep the memories close.
Leslie Manning says
well so sorry for your loss Kathie
Joe and Sandra Konkright says
Sorry for your loss. Arnie was a good horseman. The Benjamin and Konkright
families raced together for many years. God Bless and God Rest. Your friends,
Joe and Sandra.
Carol Larsen says
I am so sorry for your loss. Arnie must have loved the horses, like the rest of the family that I know. He is now loved by his father in heaven and we know God will be with him forever.
Your friend, Carol Larsen
Jesse and Anna LaBree says
Dear Benjamin Family,
Sorry to learn of your loss. With our sympathy, Jesse and Anna LaBree from Ekalaka,MT
Karlys & Corky Irion says
Kathie, Shanna, Kelly, Kerry & Benjamin Family,
So sorry to hear about Arnie, I never got to know him, but always knew in my heart he was taking good care of you & the girls Kathie! It is so hard to lose your lifetime partner-try to remember all the good times you had together and hopefully that will ease your pain. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Love, Karlys.
poppi peters says
some of the best times i rememmber with arn was at buffalo rapids , he would sit and listen to me , it was a rough time in my life .. he gave me alot a great tadvise and thats why i am who i am today …..thanks arn … and say hello to brother jamie they where really good friends
Jean (Benjamin) Moch says
Kathie, Ruth, Mary, Benny, Tom and Debbie — I am so sorry to hear about Arnie. I will always cherish the summers we cousins spent in North Dakota as we grew up together. I can still see Arnie getting on and ridding young colts for his Dad, he always stayed on and never got bucked off, it was amazing how athletic he was. He always liked to tease his Mother she would get so frustrated with him and yet he was so kind hearted and would do anything for anyone. He will be so missed, what he left behind with us are good memories, I hope you can all find peace in that.
Loren Harbaugh says
Benjamin Family,
Sorry for the passing of Arnie. So surprised to see it never expecting Arnie, as I live in Ut. and often look for happenings in Miles. Spent many High School good times with the family, you guys were my good friends,salt of the earth family. May the Good Lord Bless each of you, and appreciated your good friendship through the many years.
Loren Harbaugh
Julie Gatlin & Kenny Gress says
So sorry to hear of Arnie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Another star has been added to the Heavens and he will be watching over you.
Kyle and Gail (Hirsch) Shaw says
We were sorry to hear of Arnie’s passing, we just visited with us a few weeks ago. He was always very friendly. Arnie and the whole family have been good neighbors for a long time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kyle and Gail Shaw
Bud Walker & family says
Sorry to hear of Arnie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Kathy and the family. The Walkers!
Jonnie Gilbert Taylor says
Kathie, Jody, Chad, Shanna, Kelly, Kerry and Families:
So sorry for your loss.
Emily Townsend-Hill says
My deepest condolences to all of you. I was saddened to hear of Arnie’s passing! He is going to be greatly missed!! My thoughts and prayers are with you! May God wrap you in his loving arms during this time!
lou newman schield says
So sorry to read about Arnie passing away. He was such a nice fellow. My thoughts and prays are with and ur family at this sad time.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Arnold Benjamin – May you find comfort in your loving memories, and in recalling the many talents of Mr. Benjamin. God has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 24:33) Also be comforted in knowing that God is “near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” (Psalm 34:18) Our loving Creator has promised to soon “swallow up death forever…and wipe the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8) and soon pain and death with be no more (Revelation 21:4).The Paradise that was originally promised for the earth in the Garden of Eden will be restored. Please be comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
Arnold and Vivian Pinnow says
Hi, I will miss Arnie at every race in the future no matter where. Also when I see one of you Kathy or Chad. This will be for a long time. If there is anything I can do just call . I will help all I can. With deepest sympathy.
Mary Ann Liles says
Mary, Gene and all of Arnie’s family, We are so sorry to learn of Arnie’s death and are keeping you close in prayers. May all the good memories be foremost in your hearts right now. God Bless.
Jim & Mary Ann Liles
Jennifer Ferguson Johnson says
Benjamin family my prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time.
Tom Hagadone says
Kathie and All of Arnies Family
My thoughts and prayers with all of you at this time. It was always fun to be around Arnie at the race tracks. He was a really good person and will be missed by all of you as well as many of his friends.
Darla Beyl Paul says
Kathie, Jody, Shanna, Kelly, Chad and Kerry,
My thoughts are with you all. ~ Darla
Terry and Regina Maier and Sons says
Chad and Jody: You are both in our thoughts and prayers, May he rest in peace!
Chanci Lacey says
I hope my grandpa rests in peace. We are all thinking about him and we all miss him very much. To all my aunts and uncles and especially to my mother Jody Lacey i promise to help you through it all. ~Chanci<3
lisa says
Benjamin Family
Arnie will be greatly missed in the horse racing world. He never ever had an unkind word about anyone. I will always remember him with Apple under the cottonwood at the Great Falls track talking about his chickens and such. He had so much class and integrity. I will always remember Arnie as a great cowboy and a wonderful friend. Prayers and thoughts are with all the family.
Katie Berkram says
Kathie, Jody, Chad, Shanna, Kelly, Kerry and Families,
My heart just dropped when I heard about Arnie. Know that I will keep you all in my prayers. There wasn’t no one that could pick a horse up like Arnie!! He was always there at the right time. What a hand! Take Care and God Bless you all.
Chad Benjamin says
Oh my dad it’s been forever since I got to sit down and talk about what I’ve been doing and all the questions and looking for the answer it seemed like you always had for me. You taught me everything one needed to ride a horses in any condition. If it was walking breaking bucking or racing you had more answers then questions I could ask, hell you forgot more stuff then I could ever learn from you. I so miss you sorry I haven’t made it out to see you in a while (like you haven’t heard that before) but I will try before the white stuff flys. RIP I miss you so much it hurts me to think of gone for almost 10 years now. Love you dad ttyl.