Benjamin Davis Garrigues

August 5, 1922, Portland, Oregon ~

January 19, 2012, Portland, Oregon

Benjamin D. Garrigues was born in Portland, Oregon on August 5, 1922, to parents Benjamin and Anna (Ambrose) Garrigues. Ben was raised in Portland along with two brothers Julius and Florian. He graduated from Jefferson High School. Following graduation, in September of 1942, he joined the US Army and answered the call to serve his country during WWII. Ben was a paratrooper in the now celebrated 508th Paratroop Infantry. He was very thankful to come home alive, as his was a very dangerous role in the war.

Following his service in the WWII, Ben began his career spanning 35 years as an employee of the City of Portland Street Cleaning Division. He was a Truck and Scoop Driver. He married Betty Kent and they had two children Gary and Anna. Ben and Betty later divorced in 1974.

Ben exchanged wedding vows with Joanne R. Simpson in Newport, Oregon on October 24th, 1975. They spent 36 wonderful years together. Theirs was a welcoming and loving home where friends and family knew there was always someone there who was happy to see them, some food to eat, and a place to sleep if they were in need.

Ben will be remembered as a man with a "truly open heart" who would help anyone in need and would truly give you the shirt off of his back. He was sociable, generous, compassionate, and truly loved just visiting with other people.

He enjoyed outdoors activities; especially golf, camping and fishing. Ben was an avid follower of televised sports. He was a man who liked his can of Hamm's beer and he will be missed by friends and patrons at his favorite tavern, Yorgo's. Of all the things he liked to do, his favorite thing was just being near his family and friends and his Cocker Spaniel Happy.

Ben is predeceased by his parents; son Gary; and brothers Julius and Florian. He is survived by his loving wife Joanne; daughter Anna Marie Williams; and grandchildren, Niclole Guinn, Rachel and Joshua Williams, and Destiny and Jeremy Garrigues.

A Graveside Service will take place In Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, January 26th, at 3:30pm.

Remembrances in Ben's Honor may be made to Oregon Humane Society.

Please make an entry into the guestbook located on this Internet Memorial