Emery E. Benson

Emery Emil "Emo" Benson, 79, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's.

He was born to Bennett and Frieda Benson in Hays before a cowboy upbringing in Deer Lodge. He set sail with the Navy after graduating, serving during the Korean War. He then took up judo and academics until earning fourth-degree black belt and a master's in psychology from the University of Montana. He met his beautiful wife Reina ordering strawberry milkshakes, and they soon wed and started a family. He also started the Missoula Athletic Club and Sauna of Missoula, where he shared his knowledge of boxing, weightlifting and self-defense to so many.

He chose many other professions like hunting mining claims for the Anaconda Co. and himself. He became a house mover, saving countless structures and delivering homes. He transformed his property into a business of landscaping others. He also sold Christmas trees for a half century bringing Yuletide to celebrities, jobs to friends and family, and California cash back to Montana. But he did not limit his passion to just work. He was an expert elk hunter, a pot-winning poker player, a critic of politics and law, and a well-read historian. His eyes lit up, telling stories of Genghis Khan or the Vigilantes as if he lived another time. He had a touch of genius, which everyone recognized but could not define. His memory is being a dependable friend, a very tough boss, an honest teacher, a loyal brother and a loving father. His name already was, and will forever be, legend.

Emo is survived by his wife Reina, married 53 years; children, Kelly, Brenda, Brian and Eric; sister, Grace; brother, Allen; six grandchildren, Holly, Mary, Patrick, Monica, Denielle, and Baylee; and four great-grandchildren.

No services by his request but a gathering of family and close friends at his house Friday and Saturday evenings for campfire storytelling
Read Emery Benson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.