BENEFIELD, Gary Eugene

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 08/06/2010 Honoring the life of Gary Eugene Benefield of Springerville, who passed from this life Monday, July 26, 2010, in Murrieta, Calif. at age 53. Gary was born in Cottonwood to Paul and Doris Benefield July 26, 1957. He grew up in Winslow with four siblings and graduated high school, then moved to Springerville where he spent the remainder of his life. He enjoyed the privilege of working for Tucson Electric Power for 25 years as an outstanding control room operator where he was responsible for billions of watts of electrical production in his career. On April 19, 1993 he married Kelly Harrelson and inherited two children and several boxers who grew to be his own. Gary will be remembered as a loving, gentle husband, father and provider for his family; a caring person that would do anything to help anyone. He enjoyed many activities during his life; skiing, golf, riding his Harley, computers, being a Packers and Diamondbacks fan, debates with his daughter, rescuing animals with his wife and raising his beloved boxers. He will be dearly missed. Gary is survived by his wife Kelly Benefield; two children, Jack Harrelson Jr. and Jessica Harrelson (Paul) Barker; siblings Cecelia Little, Paula (Jim) Hueter, Karen (Joe) Felix, and Rick Benefield; mother-in-law Ila May Hixon; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Harrelson, Jr., Rick Benefield, Paul Barker, Dan Leeds, Bob Kolomitz, Chris Fox, Lonny Buttle, and Travis Merrill. A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 6, at 4 p.m. at Burnham Mortuary in Eagar. To send online condolences, visit Web site: www.burnhammortuary.com. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements.