BENJAMIN RAY JONES of Helena passed away on April 15th, 2012. He was born on June 18th 1949 in Olney, IL to Ray Mack Jones & Marcia Jean (Coggan) Jones.
Ben graduated from Cut Bank High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he spent 26 years proudly serving his country until retirement. Upon returning to Montana he began working for Montana State Fund until he retired in December of 2011. Ben loved hunting & playing golf.
He was preceded in death by his wife Charlene Ann Johnson, father Ray M. Jones and brother Danny Ray Jones. Survivors include his son John R. Jones-Gurnee, IL, daughter Kathleen M. Jones-Cut Bank, MT, wife Lynn Knight-Jones, step children Justin & Stephanie Grosfield, mother Marcia (Jean), sister Rebecca S. Jones & brother Michael Jones. He was blessed with two grand children Taylor Ray Jones & Lexis Ann Jones both of Gurnee, IL. “Mr. Ben” was a wonderful man and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service celebrating Ben’s life will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 21st at Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Per Mr. Ben’s wishes interment with military honors will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Cut Bank, MT at 11 a.m., Monday, April 23, 2012. Memorials may be sent in Ben’s name to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, PO Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604, Lewis and Clark Veterans Council, c/o Howard Davis, 2110 E. 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601 or to an organization of donor’s choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer condolences to family or share a memory of Ben.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Brenda Cross says
Benny Ray you were our “Ray of Sunshine.” Your memory will remain in our hearts forever. You were always there for us when we needed a friend and always with that infectious smile! I know you have your angel wings and are dancing and smiling down on us. You will be missed my friend.
My sincerest sympathy to Ben’s family. He was a great man and he was so proud of all of you.
Love, Brenda
Carol & Steve Athearn says
We will miss Ben so much. He was such a bright spot at State Fund and was so looking forward to his retirement. Our thoughts and prayers to the family. Love and miss you Ben! Carol and Steve
Cecelia says
Ben was a joy to work with and brought memories and cheer to MSF. He is missed.
Cindy Hawkins says
I am so very thankful that Ben was part of my life. There aren’t many people in the world as kind, genuine and loving as Ben. He will be missed and remembered.
Denise Kuntz says
Lynn – So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you my friend!
Diane Pedersen says
Katie, John and family
We were sorry to learn that your Dad passed away. I worked with your Dad for many years at Montana State Fund. On several occasions we were able to play golf with him and always had a great time. Your Dad was a kind and gentle man who had an infectious sense of humor. To say that he will be missed would be an understatement. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. God Bless you all.
Diane and Jeff Pedersen
Kristy Pedersen Klein
G.Ford says
I am so sorry for your loss. May “the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4) comfort and soothe your heart. His promises, found in the Holy Scriptures, can offer much hope. It assures us at John 5:28,29 that our loved ones will be remembered and brought back to life in the resurrection. Please allow God’s Word to strengthen you and help you to endure this most difficult time.
Jo Heal says
Ben will be missed very much. He was such a great guy with an wonderful sense of humor. He could always make my day better. I will think of him everytime when I am out at Billy Bob’s. My thoughts are with his family.
JULIE KNIGHT LACASSE says
DEAR LYNN AND FAMILY,
WE ARE SO SORRY TO LEARN OF YOUR SUDDEN LOSS. PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE THINKING OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS SAD TIME.
Kathy Gowen says
Ben was absolutely one of my favorite people. I will miss him so very much. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Kelly Stanley-McNurlin says
My prayers to Ben’s family. He always seemed to have a smile on his face, and with his enthusiasm, could get everyone else to smile and laugh. I too, worked with him at STF for a while and will keep fond memories. He will be missed!
Kristina Blomquist says
Lynn,
I am so sorry to hear about Ben my thoughts and prayers are with you. Love you
Lori Cross says
I just read a prior post talking about Halloween ’11 and Ben’s dance to “Thriller”. It was absolutely hysterical and he had the entire building roaring with laughter!
Thank you Ben for your many years of service to our country. Thank you for sharing your humor and your tears with all of us at the Montana State Fund. You were a gift and you will be missed.
Melodie S Phalp says
Ben always made people happy. His laugh was contagious. I will miss him.
Mike Hausler says
Ben Jones was an amazing man, always willing to lean you his ear, make you smile and in general he could brighten the darkest of days. You sir will be missed by many but never, ever forgotten. Lynn, you are in the hearts of many. You are an exceptional lady, which made your union with Ben…”perfect”.
Many thoughts and prayer,
Mike Hausler
Pam Brown says
Dear Jones Family ~
I was so sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. I worked with him at State Fund when he first came on board.
Ben was a very kind and caring person, always willing to help out where ever he was needed. He will be missed by all.
My thoughts and Prayers are with all of you at this time. May God continue to heal you as you hang on to the very wonderful memories Ben leaves behind.
May God Bless,
Pam Brown
Helena, MT
Paula Downey says
Dear Lynn and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the lost of such a wonderful man. He was truely a positive force in so many lives. I will always remember Ben’s infectious smile. May God be with you and my all the memories comfort you.
Phyllis McDonald says
Ben will be missed by so many of us at MSF. He was a special guy with such a great sense of humor.
Robin Feist says
Lynn,
My heart goes out to you. Words cannot express my sadness. When I think of Ben the first thing I remember is his warm smile. His gentle, caring way always made you feel special.
You and Ben made the best couple. If I saw Ben you were always with him. When he looked at you his eyes would light up.
Ben will be greatly missed but never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts.
Robin Feist
Sheryl says
Ben – you will be missed greatly by all of us at MSF – my most favorite memory of you is from Halloween 2011 when you danced to “Thriller” at our all employee meeting. You will always be a smiling presence in my heart!
Doug Manley says
Ben and I were friends in high school at CBHS. We soon lost track of each other after he graduated and went off to NMC and then into the Navy. I will never forget his impressions: one of his best was of James Cagney, and he also did impressions of impressionists like Frank Gorshen. A very fun guy to spend time with, generous as all outdoors, never an unkind word. He brought Benny Rays of sunshine into a lot of lives, and is–I am certain–being sorely missed.
Ben Ray Jones says
karma
Ben Ray Jones says
das nice
Ben Ray Jones says
BIG BOI BEN JONES
Ben Ray Jones says
you ichy and biggy
Ben Ray Jones says
GOOD STUFF
Ben Ray Jones says
ayyy thats pritty gud
smallie says
got a big forehead
CHARLES Brown says
It was a good time in 2012 R.I.P BEN RAY JONES 🙂