Benjamin Chlarson

Benjamin Franklin Chlarson passed away, peacefully, from natural causes, on August 10, 2015, in Mesa. Az. He was 95 years old. Benjamin was born February 27, 1920 in Lebannon, Graham, Arizona, to Albert and Lucy Janet Winsor Chlarson. Ben had 4 brothers, Albert, Walter, Marden (Zeke), and Winton, and 1 sister, Thelma. The family lived in the Gila Valley area until Ben was about 7 years old when they moved to Chandler, and then Tempe. Ben attended Tempe Public Schools, including Tempe High. He then worked in construction, thus becoming a master carpenter. He married Martha Potter (Pat), in 1939, and they had one daughter, Sue. Ben served in the Army, building airfields in the Phillipines from 1944 to 1946. Ben and Martha were divorced and he moved to Cleveland Ohio, where he met and married Alice Rose Barber. They then moved to the Dallas Texas area. She passed away in 1990. Ben moved back to Arizona and met and married Frances Mary Babcock in 1993. This marriage ended and Ben settled in Mesa until his death. Ben had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, and spent MANY hours on the dance floor. Benjamin is survived by his daughter, Sue Chlarson West (Brian Sr.) and his grandsons, Brian Lee West Jr, Brent Mckay West, and Brandon Tyler West. He is also survived by his step-children, Jeanette Marie Burkey and Bruce McDonald. Services will be held in the LDS ALta Mesa Ward at 5920 E. Adobe Rd., Mesa Arizona, on Monday August 17, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. with a viewing starting at 9 a.m. at the same location. Burial will be in the Thatcher Arizona Cemetery on the same day. Horizon Funeral Care handled arrangements.