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Salem Pioneer Cemetery ~ Benjamin Cyril Colbath ~ part of the Marion County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
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Benjamin "Ben" Cyril Colbath
LAST NAME: Colbath FIRST NAME: Benjamin MIDDLE NAME: Cyril NICKNAME: Ben
MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3: 
TITLE:  GENDER: M MILITARY: WWII - Army
BORN: 28 Jul 1923 DIED: 19 Apr 2012 BURIED: 26 Apr 2012
ETHNICITY:   OCCUPATION:  Real Estate
BIRTH PLACE:  Salem, Marion Co., Oregon
DEATH PLACE: Keizer, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
DEATH CERTIFICATE: 
OBITUARY: 
KEIZER - Benjamin Cyril Colbath, 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 19, 2012. He passed away at his home in Keizer, with his wife of 27 years, Diane, at his side. Ben was born in Salem on July 28, 1923 to Cyril and Bertha Colbath. He graduated from North Salem High School in 1941. Ben joined the US Army and served in WWII in the Signal Corps. After serving in the military he came back to Salem and worked for US Bank, during this time he also graduated from The American Institute of Banking.
In 1945 Ben got his start in what would become a long and illustrious career in Real Estate when he was employed by Larsen Home and Loan Co. He opened Colbath Land Company in 1947. His Real Estate business continued to expand with new ventures and offices. In 1958 Ben purchased and restored the T.A. Livesly Estate. Eventually, it was converted to the Oregon Governor's Mansion. In 1968 he opened a mobile home sales office and another Real Estate office on Commercial Street in Salem. He began to develop land and build homes in Salem as well as outlying areas such as Monmouth and Sublimity. Ben was the last living charter member of the Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Bureau which was established in 1949. His last office in Keizer was open until January 2012, when at the age of 88, he finally retired. During his long career as a realtor Ben received much satisfaction assisting his clients and worked tirelessly to see that they got into the home of their choice. The working relationships and ultimately, friendships, that formed, were very meaningful to him.
Ben loved the Oregon Coast and built two homes there, one in Neskowin and one in Pacific City. The Neskowin home was built in 1966 and became a family getaway for Ben and his four children. They spent many happy hours there beach combing, collecting Japanese floats and four wheeling on the sand dunes.
Ben had many dogs and loved them all. He loved music of all kinds and also had a keen interest in politics. He was especially interested in local politics. Ben was a knowledgeable historian of the Salem area and would often answer questions about local history. His long career in Real Estate added to his personal knowledge and he would sometimes remember selling a single property as many as three times.
Ben, along with his wife Diane, was a long time member of Northgate Wesleyan Church, where he was a board member.
His family will miss his wisdom, leadership, generous smile, and his tender love. Most important to Ben was his love and allegiance to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was never shy when sharing his faith. He was also faithful to share the Gospel or send a Christian tract.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Blair; and his daughter Kimberly.
He is survived by his wife Diane, son Bart and, daughter Candice Colbath, both of California. Stepsons, Dean Gadd (Cindy) of Camas, WA; and Darren Gadd of Bend, OR; Grandsons, Tyler and, Kendall Gadd, both of Camas, WA; Brother-in-law, Greg Ferguson; Sister-in-law, Genie Ferguson Dennis (Mike) of Turner, OR.
Donations may be made to the Union Gospel Mission in Salem. Services will be held at Northgate Wesleyan Church, 2405 Carleton Way NE, Salem, OR 97301 on Wednesday, April 25th, at 6 pm. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Services. 
Statesman Journal 22 Apr 2012
INSCRIPTION: 
SOURCES: 
SPC Authorization for Burial
SJ 22 Apr 2012
CONTACTS: 
LOT: 70 SPACE: 3 NE LONGITUDE:  LATITUDE: 
 
 

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