CORYDON W. BENEDICT

Palmer resident Corydon Wesley Benedict, 58, died of liver failure and cancer at his home Oct. 28, 2003.

A private memorial service was held Friday. His ashes will be scattered at Huckelberry Island, Lake Aleknegek, Alaska and The Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Wash.

Mr. Benedict was born Oct. 13, 1945, in Vancouver, Wash., to Denver Morris and Sofia Louise Benedict.

He graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1963. He was senior class president, he played football for three years and wrestled for four years.

He graduated from Clark Community College in 1966 and received a bachelor's degree in education in 1968 from Central Washington State College in Ellensburg, Wash.

In 1966 he married Carol Moore and they had a daughter, Shannon. They were divorced in 1970.

In 1971 he married Billie Arnold of Tooele, Utah.

Mr. Benedict taught elementary school for two years for the Vancouver School District. He then moved to Arizona and taught elementary school for the Alhambra School District in Phoenix for two years. While in Phoenix he attended Arizona State University.

He worked at Pacific Wood Treating in the chemical division where he was accidentally exposed to dioxin, which contaminated his liver. In 1974 the company gave him the opportunity to work for the housing authority in Alaska. He worked in the Yukon and then in Bristol Bay building houses in remote villages. In 1984 he went to work for the Department of Transportation and worked on local road projects. Since 1999 he had worked as a materials technician on major road projects in Palmer, Homer, Willow and Wasilla. He retired from the Department of Transportation on Oct. 1, 2003.

Mr. Benedict was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mr. Benedict served on the Parks and Recreation Commission for the city of Dillingham and for Special Olympics.

His interests and happiest memories included music, dancing, storytelling, fishing with his family at Lake Aleknagik, camping, boating, snowmachining, rock hounding, spoiling his grandchildren, photography, ecology, road trips and eating fresh fruit on the beaches of Mexico.

His family wrote, "Corydon said his greatest accomplishment was helping to raise his girls. The most influential people in his life were his parents. His father could build anything and loved nature. His mother taught by example. His funniest memory was getting married in Las Vegas.

"Dad invested in what really matters, other people's lives. He always stopped for those most of us would pass by. He made them feel like they were special and had value. He offered a day's wages and hot meal instead of charity because he understood their need to keep their dignity. Dad was always ready for an adventure. He was always sharing his love of history with children and he never stopped learning. He treasured his family and dreamed of being surrounded by them when he passed. His dream came true. Please remember his smiles, laughter, his wisdom and his always helping hand and kind heart."

Mr. Benedict is survived by his wife Billie Benedict of Dillingham; children and spouses, Shannon and Daniel Check of PeEll, Wash., Heather and Henry Roehl of Palmer, Carrie Benedict of Salt Lake City, Utah; mother Louise Benedict; grandchildren Samantha-Brynne, McKayla, Krystian, Alexa-Ann, Julianna, Saralynn, Jordan, Zachary and Samuel; sisters and brothers-in-law Jacquelin and Randy Amundson, Janiece and Craig Jones and Glenda Hale; brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Janet Benedict; nieces Janelle, Denise, Michelle, Nikki, Amy, Missy, Carol, Ceciley, Tara and Abigail; and nephews, Troy, Daniel, Daniel, Keith, Bradley, Brian, Taylor, Spencer, Sterling and Ashton.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.