Benjamin (Benny) Manzanares was born April 19, 1945 in Dragerton, Carbon County Utah, to Margaret Lopez and Joseph Manzanares. He spent his youth in Utah, moved to Colorado, and then back to Utah. In 1968, Benny was drafted into the United States Army where he served as a tank driver and a heavy equipment mechanic. During his service with the Army his tank had been shot at, and Benny suffered injuries of which he recovered, but he had shrapnel left in his back as it was dangerous to remove. During this time he was also unfortunately exposed to the many dangerous chemicals used to spray the jungle of which is now called Agent Orange. After a few years, he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1972, and when he returned home he was able to ride his motorcycles, and become a long haul truck driver.
Benny spent the last two years living in Nephi, Utah with his sister Lucille and her husband Frank Grover, where he was able to enjoy the freedom of being able to ride his power chair up and down the town where he could shop, visit and explore. It was in Nephi that he passed away on December 28, 2013 at 8:46 p.m. He spent the last month and a half of his life in the care of Heritage Hills Care Center where he received the best care by a very loving staff.
Benny's children are Judy (deceased), Marguerite, Stormy, Benito, Antoinette (he adopted) Seferino, Morning Star, and 9 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother Bobby (age 3 years), mother Margaret and his father Joseph. He is survived by his siblings; Lucille (Frank Grover), Virginia (Thomas Boyle), Betty, Robin, Larry Manzanares, Dennis Martinez, Ruben Martinez, Joseph (Lester) Martinez, and Fabian Martinez.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery located at 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.
We would like to thank Larkin Mortuary and all the staff at Heritage Hills Care Center for their tender, kind, and loving care.
