Donald Joseph Benes

Donald Joseph Benes, 78, of Missoula, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, after a brief battle with brain cancer.

He was born Oct. 11, 1936, in Chicago to Joseph and Estelle Benes. The family moved to Carrizo Springs, Texas, in 1949. Don graduated from Carrizo Springs High School in 1954; he then entered Texas A&M University and was a member of Squadron 10 in the Corps of Cadets, graduating as a member of the Class of 1958 with a degree in industrial technology. While in the Air Force, Don served at the Blacktail Radar Station in Lakeside.

While stationed there, he met Helen Elaine Ballenger, and they were married Feb. 11, 1962. The couple lived in Kalispell until moving to Spokane, where Don took a job with IBM. They were only there a few months before moving to Pullman, Washington, in 1964, where he worked as a customer engineer. While in Pullman, their daughter Kimberley was born. In 1977, Don transferred to Helena with IBM, and they built their dream log home on Saddle Mountain in Montana City. He and Helen were members of First Assembly of God in Helena and had many great friends there.

Don was an avid outdoorsman. One of his favorite pastimes was hang-gliding at Steptoe Butte and along the Snake River. He enjoyed playing and coaching softball, golfing and playing in several leagues in Pullman and Helena, taking care of the men's leagues records at both Fox Ridge and Bill Roberts. He was a devoted Texas A&M Aggie and Chicago Cubs fan and plans were made around game times. He enjoyed cross-country skiing, hiking, and building and flying model airplanes.

Don was a skilled woodworker and after his retirement from IBM he and Helen spent several years traveling the Northwest to various craft fairs. Don was an accomplished cook and enjoyed sharing his creations. Spending time with his three granddaughters was the highlight of his life; he enjoyed attending their sporting events and loved teaching them to shoot at the shooting range.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and wife Helen. He is survived by his daughter, Kim Tobiason, and her three daughters, Sydnee, MacKenzie and Madisyn of Missoula. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Hobart (Doug) of Pullman; sisters-in-law, Mary Ballenger of Lome', Togo, West Africa, Laura Crone of Oldtown, Idaho, Betty Volin (Ray) of Yuma, Arizona, Bonita Thomas (Bruce) of Laredo, Texas, and Birdie Faris (Terry) of Lakeside; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many dear friends.

No services are planned at this time. Don will be buried with his wife at Fort Harrison in Helena next spring or early summer. There will be a celebration of his life at that time and friends and family will be notified at a later date.
Read Donald Benes's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.