Obituary Roy Morris Bennett October 5, 1949 -- February 7, 2018

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Services for Roy Morris Bennett, 68, will be held Saturday, February 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Wheatland, WY with Gary Stahl officiating.  Roy passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2018 from natural causes.  At his request, cremation will take place.

Roy was born October 5, 1949 to Alfred (Chink) and Ellen Heath Bennett, the fifth of nine children.  He was raised and educated around Broadwater, NE, working for neighbors at a young age. 

He joined the U.S. Army and fought for freedom on a tour of duty in Viet Nam.  He was a proud soldier and a proud American; never ashamed of the tears he would shed upon hearing our National Anthem played.  He cherished the privilege to present the American flag at rodeos and parades on the back of his trusty horse Pistolero. 

Following his military service, he returned and worked at a number of ranches in the Sandhills of western Nebraska. 

In 1971, he and Carol Blakey were married and to this union, sons Roger Courtney and Corey Emerson were born.  The couple was later divorced. 

In 1976, he went to work for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad where he remained for 33 years prior to retirement. 

He and Karen Mickelsen were married in 1982 and they were blessed with sons Zachary Morris and Zane Bjegaard. 

Roy was a powerhouse of a man, never a quitter and passed his strong work and life ethics on to his sons.  He could build or fix anything, including his home at Dwyer, loving every minute of it.  He grew an immense garden and loved sharing the harvest with friends.    

He loved every horse that was put in his path and shared story after story about all of them. He had a gift with animals, a cowboy through and through and loved helping friends and neighbors with their livestock.  At home in the saddle, some of his best and favorite memories are riding the prairies of Wyoming with friends and his wife Karen.  He was a 20-year member of the National Pony Express Association and along with other family members, carried mail for the annual re-ride as well as many other events.    

He was a loyal friend of Bill W.’s for over 35 years, and impacted many in their journey of sobriety.

Roy dearly loved his grandchildren—each held a special place in his heart.  He treasured his time with the ones that lived closest and though he regretted the distance that separated him from those who did not, they all brought immense joy to his life.         

Roy is survived by his wife of 35 years, Karen; sons Roger (Annie) of Duncan, OK; Corey (Wendy) of Guernsey; Zach (Karisa) of Torrington; Zane (Luke) of Oak Harbor, WA; brothers Bennie (Dorothy) of Sidney, NE; Stanley (Pat) of Guernsey; 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, 15 nephews, and 10 nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Marjorie, Joyce and Barb; brothers Millard, Clifford and Victor; and father-in-law Einer Mickelsen. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Haven on the Rock, Christian Camp, 560 Rim Rock Road, Fort Laramie, Wyoming  82212.

Colyer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.