David Benefield

On Jan. 30, David Benefield slipped away quietly of natural causes at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby. His life began in Eureka on his grandparents’ homestead at Black Lake on July 31, 1939. In 1949, David’s parents moved to Libby, where David attended school grades 1 through 6. The family then moved to Rexford, where David continued his education and completed high school in Eureka in 1957.

David worked for J. Neils Lumber Co. until he enlisted in the Army with his friend, Kent Roose, in 1959. They served together until 1961. At that point, David returned to Rexford and naturally became a logger as was his heritage. David married Gayla Vatland on Jan. 16, 1965 and she became his life partner of 50 years on Jan. 16, 2015. In 1968, during the construction of Libby Dam, David managed the VFW Club in Libby and began his construction career on the big bridge at Rexford. He ultimately became the union organizer and representative for Labor Local 1192 which merged into 1334. David represented the Laborers during the complete construction of Libby Dam. Eventually, David went back to the trade.

After suffering an injury while working on a construction job, David became a “gentleman farmer,” raising, buying and selling cattle. David helped to build his log home on the Kootenai River in 1979 and raise his five children there. For 46 years, their home was a refuge to grandchildren and many of their children’s friends. When the children no longer needed them, David and Gayla welcomed two Boston Terriers into their lives. From that time forward, Lola and Chipper ruled the roost.

Until his health forced him to refrain, David was an avid golfer and bowler and especially loved watching his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter participate in sports. David and his two old “geezer” buddies were regulars at every American Legion Baseball game in Libby, often reminding the ump that there was over 100 years of baseball experience among them, therefore, they should be allowed to make the calls.

David is survived by his wife, Gayla; daughters, Jenan Swenson, Julie Johnson, and Stacey Boardner (Dan); sons, David (Roxanne) and Sean (Ashley); brother Donald Benefield; 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; his uncles, Richard, Leo (Shirley), and Louie (Beverly) O’Brien and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Clay and Leona O’Brien Benefield and his sister-in-law, Barbara Ward Benefield.

On Feb. 6, 2015, David returned to Eureka and was laid to rest in the Tobacco Valley Cemetery and is surrounded by three generations of family. He is with his family and at rest now.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.