James (Jim) Anthony Benefield

My beloved husband, partner, and friend, James (Jim) Anthony Benefield at the age of 66 years on May 18, 2023, left this world to be with family and friends in heaven.  Jim was born May 21, 1956 in Long Beach, California at St. Mary’s hospital to Donald (Curly) Anthony Benefield and Mary Elizabeth Pomeroy Benefield.

Both of Jim’s parents , six of his siters; Mary C., Ruth, Elizabeth, Judith, Ellen, Margaret, and two of his brothers; Donald, Thomas and two sons; Laramie, Luke and his mother-in-law; Rosalie Johnson preceded Jim in death. 

Jim is survived by his wife; Dawna LaRae Johnson Benefield, and son; William Andrew Benefield; four sisters; Patricia Crowther, Marian Groshon, Virginia Gorton, Vibiana Buck and two brothers; Frank Benefield, Joseph Benefield.  Jim was number 13 of 15 children, ten girls and five boys.

He loved telling stories of growing up with all of his siblings.  Three of his older sisters took him to a mall and entered him in a raffle for a go cart.  Surprising his sisters and tickling him when his name was drawn.

Jim grew up in a time of long hair.  He remembers his mom washing his hair in the kitchen sink.  That was a cherished memory for Jim because they shared a special bond.  She would contact him to boost him up and keep him out of trouble.

Jim’s father had a nickname for all of his children.  Jim’s was Jaime, which is Spanish for James. Donald (Curly) was a veteran on the United States Army and later became an electrician.  He also loved to do side jobs to help support his family.  He made a trade for a Big Table, Big enough to allow everyone a seat at the table at the same time.

Jim would go with his dad on the weekends to do electrical jobs.  He gained knowledge that would help him through his career in automobiles and building stereo speakers.  Jim followed in his dad’s footsteps doing side jobs.  He was always looking for something for very little or for a trade. Jim was very good at getting a $300.00 car and turn it into $500.00.  He started fixing his own autos in his teens and he was hooked.  He tried doing other jobs, but when he got a job at South Bountiful Auto for Frank Branch, he excelled.

Jim and Dawna were married June 1, 1991.  It was a blind date when they first met, set up by Daryl and Nancy Koppnaal. Daryl was a childhood friend and later became a brother-in-law through his brother and Daryl’s sister.  Nancy and Dawna were also school mates and worked together.

It was Kismet when we met.  We dated for one year and married for just short of 32 years.  I can’t say that it was a perfect life we shared, but it was a strong bond filled with love, respect, kindness and lots of laughter. 

Just like Jim’s dad, he took his son’s on side jobs. They learned how to fix cars and motorcycles.  He passed his passion of motorcycles onto his sons and got them a motorcycle by age 9.  William followed in his dad’s footsteps and has been a mechanic since high school. Even though Laramie was his stepson, Jim never treated him that way and was devastated when Laramie Passed away.

I have shared a lot and yet not so much about my Jim.  He brought joy into our lives and he will be dearly missed.  There is a big hole beside me that will take a long time to used to and in time the edges will smooth out and not cut so deep.

Goodbye for now my love, until we meet again.

Dawna and William will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Jim on August 19, 2023 at the Gailey Park Pavilion 2, 331 S. 50 W., Kaysville, Utah, between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be light snacks and water served.  Please come and share your stories, memories or pictures with us.

Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.

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