Benjamin Hughes

Benjamin Warren Hughes, son of Mildred Dale Hughes and Orval Hughes, was born Dec. 31, 1933, in Aline. He passed away with family by his side on July 6, 2019, at the age 85 years.

Ben graduated high school in Aline. After high school, he attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater.

Ben was a member of the FarmHouse fraternity and also a member of the national meat judging team. Ben graduated with a double major, a bachelor of science in agriculture education and in animal science.

On Aug. 15, 1953, Ben married Jean Lavonne Fetzer in Helena.

Following their marriage, they made their home in Okarche, where three children were added to their family: Dean, Cindy, and Doug.

Ben taught vocational agriculture at Okarche High School where he helped many of his FFA students succeed at stock shows and leadership development.

After teaching high school, Ben worked as a nutritionist for a feedlot in the panhandle of Oklahoma and later as a banker at Kingfisher Bank & Trust.

In 1972, he returned to his hometown area of Carmen, where he enjoyed farming, ranching and building a family farming operation until his retirement.

He was a member of the Carmen United Methodist Church.

Ben enjoyed fly fishing in South Fork, Colo., where he and his wife spent the summers, racing thoroughbred horses, and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Betty Jean.

Ben is survived by his wife, Jean; their three children, Dean Hughes and wife Christa, Cindy Eimen and husband David, Doug Hughes and best friend Lisa Wells; siblings, Dale Hughes and wife Donna, Don Hughes and wife Ruby; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Andrea and Jay Lohmann, Jordan, Jagger and Adley; Aaron and Dana Hughes, Drake and Aubree; Tatum Hughes; Dustin Eimen; Michael and Kelsey Eimen, Tucker; Greg and Chrissy Eimen; as well numerous nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Service for Ben will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at Carmen United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena.

Viewing will be Wednesday from 1-7 p.m. at Wentworth Funeral Home in Carmen.

Memorials may be given to OSU Foundation – Ben Hughes Family Scholarship in memo or charity of donor’s choice through the funeral home.