Benny James Gordanier

BENNY JAMES "BEN" GORDANIER Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Benny James "Ben" Gordanier will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 16 at Lifeway Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Summit Ridge Cemetery. Ben was born on May 4, 1935 in Greensgap, N.M. the son of Clardy Layfette and Clevie Raye (Ferris) Gordanier. He passed away on Friday, April 9, 2010 at his residence at the age of 74. On May 16, 1960, Ben married Ann Schoenhals in Farmington, N.M. The couple would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary next month. Ben was a retired member of the Montezuma County Sheriff's Posse. He was also an honorary member of the American Legion Junior Rodeo and Ben belonged to USTRC. In his free time, Ben loved to be outdoors hunting and fishing. It has been said that Ben had the best hunting camp in all of Montezuma County. Surviving Ben are his loving wife, Ann Gordanier of Cortez; and his children, Drew Gordanier and Paula of Cortez, Brad Gordanier and wife, Stacey of Dolores, and Shane Gordanier and wife, Amy of Dolores. Ben also leaves behind his grandchildren, Beau Gordanier and wife, Cassie of Sterling, Colo., Jake Gordanier and wife, Erin of Cortez, David Gordanier of Ft. Collins, Colo., Cassie Gordanier of Scottsdale, Ariz., Trey Gordanier of Mancos, Taryn Gordanier of Mancos, Garrett Leavell of Dolores, and Madi Leavell of Dolores; his great-grandchild, Brileigh Gordanier of Cortez; and his siblings, Vera "Missie" Cox and husband, Richard of Wilcox, Ariz., Wanda K. Gordanier of Comanche, Okla., and Sidney Gordanier and wife, Janice of Sterling, Okla. Ben was preceded in death by his parents; by his son, Colby Gordanier Bridges; and by his brother, Voyd Gordanier. Memorial contributions may be made in Benny Gordanier's name to Dolores State Bank.