Benjamin Johnson Sr.
Benjamin George “Bennie” Johnson Sr., 69, of Brockton died Feb. 12, 2020.
He was born Nov. 22, 1950, on the Fort Belknap Agency to Edgar Johnson and Bernice (Blackbird) Johnson. He resided on the Fort Belknap Agency and many other places before settling down and making his home in Brockton.
He attended schools in Harlem and Busby before receiving his GED in 1973. He began his career in the oilfield, which lasted over 20 years. Many of his stories he shared throughout the years revolved around his adventures traveling and working in the oilfield.
After retiring from the oilfield due to health reasons, he began a short career of working for Fort Peck Tribal Health in different positions.
He eventually started his journey in furthering his education by attending Fort Peck Community College where he was given the honor of being the very first AIHEC Student of the Year and received this award at the AIHEC Conference in Billings. He then attended Rocky Mountain College of Billings and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education in 2003.
After graduation, he begin his career at Fort Peck Community College and discovered his love of golf, a sport he enjoyed immensely and, according to him, one in which he excelled. After he retired from Fort Peck Community College, he begin his service to the Brockton community in the position of mayor, which he held for many years.
Also in his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending many school and sporting events. He was a huge advocate of education and served a couple of terms on the Brockton School board. Some of his proudest moments was watching his children and grandchildren’s graduation ceremonies.
The Denver Broncos was his favorite football team and, in December 2019, he made the journey to Denver to watch his beloved team play in person. He was also an avid NBA fan and favorite teams included the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. Ben enjoyed various TV shows, but his favorites included Gold Rush, Deadliest
Catch and old Westerns. He was an avid reader and loved Louis L’Amour, John Grisham, and any newspaper he could get his hands on.
In 1975, he met Judy Belgarde in Brockton. They were together for 44 years, uniting in marriage in 2001. Later that year, they adopted Brady and Jalen, officially making them their sons. He had a huge family as he had nine children, 28 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Judy of Brockton; children, Noreen Lone Bear, Melissa Belgarde, Olivia Johnson, Terrence Johnson and Jalen Johnson, all of Brockton, Eugene Belgarde of Poplar, Darcy Azure of Havre, Benjamin Johnson Jr. of Wolf Point and Brady Johnson of Kalispell; a special granddaughter, Heather Youpee of Brockton, who he took as a daughter; sisters, Vivian Herschel, Vikki Johnson, Roberta Johnson, Thea Kirkaldie and Maxine Rutherford, all of Fort Belknap; brothers, Stanley Johnson, Edgar Johnson, Elgin Johnson and Ival “Pee-wee” Jackson, all of Fort Belknap; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by sisters, Mary Kay White and Abby Johnson Wooden Legs; and brother, Douglas Johnson.
The funeral was held Monday, Feb. 17, at the Brockton High School. Interment was at Riverview Cemetery in Brockton. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
Raymond K. Luft, 76, died Feb. 13, 2020, at Health Center North West in Kalispell.
He was born Aug. 28, 1943, to John William and Anna Marie (Damn) Luft, in Wiliston, N.D.
No services are planned at this time.
