MONTE VISTA — Benjamin Floyd Shown, 92, went to be with his Lord on April 14, 2020, at the Colorado State Veterans Center, Homelake, CO. where he had been a resident for 4 years. (and who the family wants to thank immensely for their great care of him during that time!)
Ben was born in Hagerman, Idaho to Frank and Polly Shown on April 9, 1928. A veteran from the US Army, he married Bonnie Mock, March 1, 1951. She was his wife for 69 years, no small feat in this day and age. He left very soon thereafter to serve for 21 months in the Korean conflict.
Upon his return home, he began his family while he worked as a mechanic and other small jobs before moving to Seattle to begin a career with the Boeing aircraft company. For 22 of the 28 years he was there he worked as a quality control inspector for the missile program, a career that well fit his personality as there was a certain way to do everything according to “By the Book Ben”. Through this job, the family moved an average of every 6 months going to 10 different states and having many traveling adventures. He used to say he raised his children “in the field” because they traveled so much and saw so many different things. He was a very hard worker who never quit.
Ben, when in his normal state of mind never met a stranger. He always had a story to tell or a poem to recite by heart which he always did with a twinkle in his eye. He was a genius in many ways in his prime, you name it he could fix it – Cars, fans, radios, TV’s, plumbing, electrical, house repairs, power tools, etc.
He was an avid hunter who could hit the target at 300-400 yards. He was always very accurate so that no animals suffered in any way and taught his sons the same. He also loved to fish anytime anywhere – creeks, rivers or lakes it didn’t matter.
Son Steve recalls he could make a plant grow from a tiny starter and have a garden if there was room wherever they lived. He had a green thumb. Also, that he was a dad who taught his boys many many things in repairs, hunting and fishing which they spent many hours doing together. Son Merle recalls he was always willing to help people with fixing repairs rides to church or whatever if he could
Ben is survived by his wife Bonnie Shown of Monte Vista, CO. Two sons Merle (Annette) Shown of Apache Junction, AZ. Steve (Jolynn) Shown of Monte Vista, CO. and daughter-in-law Joan Shown of Lynchburg, VA.
Also 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was proceeded in death by both parents Frank and Polly Shown, three brothers Leon Elvin and John Shown, sister Jane Shown Lapp and eldest son Dan Shown
We will miss you, husband, dad, grandpa and uncle. Party hearty with Jesus we’ll see you soon.