1927
Ben
2016
Ben Donegan
September 6, 1927 — January 27, 2016
Ben Donegan, age 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 27, 2016. Ben was born in Amarillo, Texas on September 6, 1927 and grew up during the Great Depression. Ben's difficult early years produced a man of immense inner strength and self-reliance, characteristics that would serve him well throughout his life.
Ben studied geology for three years at Texas Tech, put in a stint in the Navy that included a year at Stanford, and then another year at the University of Texas at Austin. His life-long career in geology grew out of an interest in paleontology. While a student at UTA, Ben discovered a new specimen collecting fossils in West Texas that was named after him in the September, 1950 Journal of Paleontology. His journey as a professional geologist began when Ben, his wife, Ruby and infant daughter Nancy journeyed west to Albuquerque where his son, Mike was born and where he began his career as a uranium exploration geologist. Soon Ben, joined by his brother Bob, turned his attention to oil, gas and mining exploration, an endeavor that would last to the day he died.
Ben is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Ruby; his daughter Nancy Nolan (Steve); son Mike (Kathy); grandchildren Sarah, Sam, Nick (Trish), Josh (Amy), Courtney, Ben, Lacey (Casey), great-grandchildren Coco, Tripp, Marli, Slade, Hadley, Preston, Silver and Waelan and nieces Jenny Cvetic (Ray) and Judy Foster (Jon) and families.
Ben loved his family and was deeply loved. We would like to thank all of the doctors and medical teams who took care of Ben over these many years, the doctors and nursing staff at Presbyterian Hospital, Advanced Health Care and Montebello, dear friends and family who came by for visits and Pastor Harry Chapman who was a great encouragement in the Lord.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m., at FRENCH - Wyoming. Officiating will be Pastor Chapman with an on-site reception immediately following the service. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE.
For those who would like to make a memorial contribution in Ben's name, donations may be sent to Westside Cumberland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 15209, Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87174.
Ben studied geology for three years at Texas Tech, put in a stint in the Navy that included a year at Stanford, and then another year at the University of Texas at Austin. His life-long career in geology grew out of an interest in paleontology. While a student at UTA, Ben discovered a new specimen collecting fossils in West Texas that was named after him in the September, 1950 Journal of Paleontology. His journey as a professional geologist began when Ben, his wife, Ruby and infant daughter Nancy journeyed west to Albuquerque where his son, Mike was born and where he began his career as a uranium exploration geologist. Soon Ben, joined by his brother Bob, turned his attention to oil, gas and mining exploration, an endeavor that would last to the day he died.
Ben is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Ruby; his daughter Nancy Nolan (Steve); son Mike (Kathy); grandchildren Sarah, Sam, Nick (Trish), Josh (Amy), Courtney, Ben, Lacey (Casey), great-grandchildren Coco, Tripp, Marli, Slade, Hadley, Preston, Silver and Waelan and nieces Jenny Cvetic (Ray) and Judy Foster (Jon) and families.
Ben loved his family and was deeply loved. We would like to thank all of the doctors and medical teams who took care of Ben over these many years, the doctors and nursing staff at Presbyterian Hospital, Advanced Health Care and Montebello, dear friends and family who came by for visits and Pastor Harry Chapman who was a great encouragement in the Lord.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10:30 a.m., at FRENCH - Wyoming. Officiating will be Pastor Chapman with an on-site reception immediately following the service. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE.
For those who would like to make a memorial contribution in Ben's name, donations may be sent to Westside Cumberland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 15209, Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87174.
Service Details
Saturday, February 6th, 2016, 10:30am, FRENCH - Wyoming
Interment Details
Sunset Memorial Park
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