Benjamin John Thomas

Benjamin J. Thomas, 77, of Hazen, North Dakota, passed away on July 21, 2026, at Sanford Health, Bismarck, surrounded by his loved ones.

Services will be held on Friday July 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM CT at Barbot Funeral Home in Beulah, ND with Pastor Randy Emgarten officiating. Burial will follow at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan ND. 

Visitation will be held at Barbot Funeral Home on Thursday July 30 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and continue one hour prior to the service.

Benny was born on March 9, 1949, at Memorial Hospital in Hazen, North Dakota. He graduated from Hazen High School in 1966 before attending two quarters at the North Dakota State School of Science. In 1967, he answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Navy.

Benny spent much of his six-year military career serving aboard the USS Hull during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he returned home to work at Northrup Corporation in New Town, North Dakota. In 1975 he returned to Mercer County to work at the Glen Harold Mine in Stanton ND as an Electrician. Then, in 1976 Benny decided to take over the family farm while continuing to work at the Glen Harold Mine.  When Glen Harold Mine decided to close in 1993, Benny transferred to the Leland Olds Power Station, where he remained until his retirement in June 2015. In 2008 Benny retired from farming but never stopped caring for his land—those who knew him understood it was never just a job to him; it was a way of life.

Benny had a quiet but wonderful sense of humor, an inquisitive mind, and always made time for children, especially his grandchildren. Few family members escaped his playful teasing over the years, and those moments have become some of the family's most cherished memories.

Although Benny often joked that his favorite hobby was working, he also found great joy in traveling, riding motorcycles, hunting, photography, gardening, canning—his homemade pasta sauce was frequently requested—reading, spending time with his beloved cats, and rebuilding old tractors.  He was also an active member in the IBEW, VFW and the Legion.

Above all else, Benny devoted his life to caring for the land he loved. He took immense pride in farming and worked tirelessly to preserve it for future generations. His dedication, quiet strength, and unwavering work ethic will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his children Andrew (Sarah) Thomas, Amber Thomas, Kris (Frank) Enniss, Kari (Kevin) Leier, Deejay Miller and Deitra Harr. His grandchildren Wyatt and Maya Thomas, Daniel and Alexis Lauer, Will Enniss, Jacob Miller, Jon Miller, Kaitlyn and Joshua Leier, Jordan, Dominik and Dylan Miller, Chelsea Maynard and Caleb Harr. His siblings Marguerite (Albert) Kilber, Virginia (Curt) Schulz, Bill (Jill) Thomas and Kathy (Gene) Wiese, and numerous nieces and nephews, including his special “sister-niece” Yvonne (Dean) Nodland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Wilma Thomas, and his sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Clarence Fischer.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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