Benjamin George Johnson, Sr. was born November 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, Montana.
Ben attend schools in Harlem and Busby before receiving his GED in 1973 and begin his career in the oil field which lasted twenty plus years where he made many great friends and memories. Many of his stories he shared throughout the years revolved around his adventures traveling and working in the oil field, he especially enjoyed sharing these stories with his Grandson-In-Law Josh Fish. After retiring from the oil field due to health reasons Ben begin a short career of working for Fort Peck Tribal Health in different positions and 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, MT. He then went on to Rocky Mountain College of Billings where he 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, excelled at. After Ben 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. Ben was a huge advocate of education and he 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 Ben’s 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 he favorite teams included the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, he was also a huge fan of Steph Curry. 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 Ben met Judy Belgarde in Brockton, Montana and they were together for 44 years uniting in marriage in 2001. Later that year they happily adopted Brady and Jalen officially making them their sons. Ben had a huge family as he had 9 children, 28 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. He loved each and every one of them and he enjoyed spoiling each of them in his own way. Ben had relatives far and wide and his family included the Blackbirds, Smalls, Dennys, Mounts, and Strikes.
Ben is survived by his wife Judy of the family home, children Noreen (Henry) Lone Bear, Brockton, Melissa (Terry) Belgarde, Brockton, Eugene Belgarde, Poplar, Darcy (Carolyn) Azure, Havre, MT, Olivia (Ira) Johnson, Brockton, Terrence Johnson, Brockton, Benjamin Johnson Jr. of Wolf Point, Brady (Carla) Johnson of Kalispell, MT, and Jalen Johnson, Brockton, and 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 of Fort Belknap. Uncles Monte Ball, Walter Blackbird, and John R. Strike all of Fort Belknap. Grandchildren Nichole and Nathan Lone Bear, Terrille Rattling Thunder, Keith Belgarde, Jalen Belgarde, Jamis Rattling Thunder, Melvin Rattling Thunder, Jr., Bailey, Adam, Caleb, and Rita Track, Jacob, Alex, Quincy, Minka, and Ruby Belgarde, Prime Johnson, Margaux Runs Through DesaRae, Cheyenne, Anthony, Matthew, Raymond, Eric, and Devyn Azure, Melina Leo and Cuarissa Taylor. Great-Grandchildren Mikaila Youpee, Blaire Stump, Claire and Azalea Clampitt, Chanel and Chisen Bouldin, Aden, Braelynn, and Cace DeMarrias, Ava Lone Bear, Kahlil Beauchman, Sheaann LeMere, K’maya Lone Bear, Kameron Rattling Thunder, Taiya, Madalyn, and Matilda Fish, Jaylynn Johnson, Jordyn and Jessie Scott, Kokoan Matte, SkyLynn Shortman, Mycah Lea, Loyalty and Mycha Azure, Sister-in-law Rae Belgarde of Brockton, Brother-in-Law Kermit Belgarde of Walla Walla, Washington and Niece Myrna Walking Eagle of Brockton, and two special nephews, Adrian Spotted Bird, Jr. and Jace Johnson.
He is also survived by a favorite cousin Richard “Dude” Jackson of Newtown, ND and adopted brothers Gregory Jay Brugh, Sr. of Newtown, ND and Joseph Chase of Newtown, ND and special friends James and Marty Dillon and Alpheus Bighorn Jr. all of Brockton.
Preceding Ben was his parents, Sisters Mary Kay White and Abby Johnson Wooden Legs, Brother Douglas Johnson, his mother-in-law Rita Red Eagle Belgarde and adopted Brother Leonard Boxer.
The family would like to express their gratitude to James “Chuck” Weinberger who was Ben’s Dialysis Driver for all the care and conversation that he gave him. Ben had many friends and family members far and wide, so if you are not listed please know he loved you all.
A wake will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at the Brockton Highschool. The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2020 at the Brockton Highschool. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brockton. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences can be left for the family by using the form below.