Jeptha Douglas Benson was born on April 10, 1931 in Burkburnett,
Texas. The second son of Archibald and Wilma (Teel) Benson. He was raised
in East Texas where he graduated from Judson High School in 1949. He
enlisted in the Navy after his graduation that same year. The Navy gave him his
first opportunity to travel and spent the majority of his service in the Far
East. He was discharged in 1953 and attended Kilgore College where he earned
a Mud Engineering Degree in 1953. He began working for Halliburton soon
after graduation in Kilgore. His career with Halliburton took him to North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and New Mexico. And his career in the oil field also
gave him the opportunity to work overseas. J.D.'s career in the oil fields spans
more than 55 years. If it had not been for his illness, he would have most likely
kept working for as long as he kept enjoying it.
He met the love of his life while working in North Dakota, and after being
transferred to Rock Springs, he married Rose Omar on May 31st, 1960. Their
daughter, Cynthia Lynn Benson was born in Rock Springs in March of
1961. Because of his career in the oil field, the couple moved to several different locations in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota throughout their 51 year
marriage. They have spent the last 29 years in Williston, North Dakota.
Jeptha was an active member of the API and an honorary member of the
SPE. He was a member of the Elks Club and the Loyal Order of Moose, as well
as the VFW. He enjoyed playing golf and in participated in many golf tournaments, winning "Longest Drive" during a tournament in Dickinson. He enjoyed
attending the Billings Oilmen's Golf Classic every year. He spent time working
on clubs for anyone that needed it. He also had a love of the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting. Later in his life, he hunted with a camera instead of a
gun and took pictures when he was out on location or up in the Bob Marshall
Wilderness. He worked with a friend taking groups up to that area on horseback
and also did double duty as cook. In his spare time, during his life, besides
golfing, he also made and refinished furniture. He enjoyed cooking, including
chili cook-off’s through the years. He became pretty good at Lebanese cooking
and enjoyed doing so with his Mother in Law. He was an avid reader, especially western novels and was known for telling a good story, of which he had
many.
Jeptha is survived by his wife, Rose of Williston; his daughter, Cynthia of
Frisco, TX; his brother, Dana Benson, Tyler TX; his sister-in-law, Bernice Benson, Houston TX.and her children, Keith and Kim Benson and their families of
Houston TX, his sister-in-law, Shirley Benson and her children, Jay, Debra,
Teri, Frank, David, Jamie and their families of Ridgecrest, CA as well as numerous nieces and nephews from both families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Archibald and Wilma; his brothers,
Frank and Bill; as well as his cousin, Calvin and his wife Vivian.
He will be greatly missed by those around him throughout his life.
In Memory Of
JD Benson
In Memory Of
JD Benson
Date And Place Of Birth
April 10, 1931
Burkburnett, Texas
God saw you getting tired,
And a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come with Me.”
Funeral Service
11:00 AM, Thursday, August 11, 2011
Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel
Williston, North Dakota
Officiating
Pastor Kevin Beard
With tearful eyes we watched you suffer
And saw you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating
Hard-working hands to rest;
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
Date And Place of Death
August 6, 2011
Williston, North Dakota
Musicians
Sandi Blikre ~ Organist
Priscilla Keck ~ Vocalist
Monte Besler
Mike Juma
Casketbearers
Bob Schreiber Preston Persson
Jon Larvick
John Steele
Honorary Bearers
All of JD’s Friends
Military Honors
Williston Veteran’s Honor Guard
North Dakota Veteran’s Honor Guard
Interment
Moslem Cemetery
Rural Ross, North Dakota
You may share your remembrances and condolences
with the family at the Fulkerson Funeral Home website
www.fulkersons.com