Darrell Frank Benjamin, 72, of Angel Fire and French Tract, NM, passed away January 10, 2015 peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones.
Darrell was born May 10, 1942 in Longmont, CO to Frank and Margaret (Shaffer) Benjamin. He attended school in Longmont and Fairplay, Colorado; graduating from Fairplay High School in 1960. He served in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1962. He married Marge Silbaugh September 29, 1962. They lived in the Longmont area until moving to Angel Fire, NM in 1983.
Darrell farmed in the Longmont area from 1971 to 1983. He worked for the Angel Fire Water and Wastewater Services for 30 years until his retirement in 2013. In honor of his years of service the Angel Fire Village Counsel named a road after him, Darrell F Benjamin Drive. He was a Double IV certified level operator in Water and Wastewater in the State of New Mexico. He served on the Angel Fire Volunteer Fire Department and County Fire Department for 13 years and was Chief of the local fire district which included the Village and Colfax County from 1988 to 1996. He was also an Adjunct Instructor for the New Mexico Firefighters Academy. He served on the Fire Excise Tax board for over 20 years.
Darrell enjoyed jeeping and was a member of the Mile-High and St. Vrain Jeep Clubs. He was a talented mechanic and enjoyed helping other members modify their jeeps. Darrell was also an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoors man. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and the North American Hunting and Fishing Clubs. Darrell was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend; he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marge; his four children: Yvette Stone, Elise Taylor and husband Richard, David Benjamin and wife Wynette, and Alan Benjamin and wife Cameron. He also leaves behind his thirteen grandchildren and one great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Margaret Benjamin; his sister, Ann (Denison) Parker; and his beloved Uncle Willis Benjamin.
Services will be held February 21, 2015 at 3:00 pm at Angel Fire Community Center, 15 CS Ranch Road, Angel Fire, NM. In lieu of flowers please send donations to either: Team Angel Fire Ski and Snowboard at P.O. Box 864, Angel Fire, NM 87710 or directly to International Bank in Angel Fire. Please memo Darrell Benjamin on checks. Or Angel Fire Community Center for playground restoration, directly contact Shay Tibljas at 575-377-1544.
Arrangements for Darrell Frank Benjamin are under the direction of the Alderette Pomeroy Funeral Home of Raton.
