Benjamin Wayne Anthony Wells' Obituary
Benjamin "Ben" Wayne Anthony Wells, 44, of Scappoose, Oregon, passed away at home on the morning of December 16. Born on November 19, 1979, in Walla Walla, Washington, he was the son of Scott and Dahnielle Wells. In 1998, he graduated from Walla Walla Valley Academy. In 2003, Ben achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first person in his family to earn a Bachelor’s degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Spanish and Biology from Eastern Washington University.
Ben was dealt a tough hand in life, and he dealt it all back, making it something completely his own; he faced life with his own “Brother Ben” and “Ben Diddley” brand of humor. He valued truth, living boldly, knowledge, healing from past trauma, and living life to the fullest. He was a generous and kind person, frequently supporting others and giving his friends a place to land on their feet.
In his early years, Ben enjoyed sleepovers at his Grandma Hazel’s house, butterfly hunts, and playing at Yantis Park and the local swimming pool.
During his elementary school years, he loved going on biking adventures, constructing forts by the creek, playing video games in an attempt to win the Meltaway Mints that he sold for school from his dad, and embarking on exciting journeys with his BB gun (a cherished gift from Uncle Mark and Aunt Kathy). At school, he became known for wearing hammer pants and winning spelling bees.
As a teenager, Ben embraced independence and his adventurous spirit, finding joy in activities such as snowboarding at Spout Springs, backpacking in the Wallowa Mountains, going on raft trips, attending concerts with friends, taking trips to the houseboat, and discovering a lifelong passion for playing the guitar.
Ben's passion for travel was ignited during his early college years when he journeyed to Costa Rica with his sister. His adventurous spirit led him to explore the Caribbean with his family, traverse Colombia with his sister, create fond memories visiting his Aunt Jan in Canada, experience the warmth of Eric and his family in Taiwan, and revel in the diverse landscapes of Mexico and the Grand Canyon.
In adulthood, Ben loved spending time with his daughters and felt grateful that his job allowed him the flexibility to enjoy a variety of activities with them. Together, they went on trips to the local swimming hole, rode motorcycles, went on blackberry hunts, explored OMSI, visited the zoo, and frequented the library and park. They enjoyed bike rides, jumping on the trampoline, jam sessions, Minecraft, camping adventures, mushroom hunts, building snow forts, and making snow milkshakes.
His creative spirit shone through as he handcrafted his own Ben Diddley cigar box guitars, crafted his own Brother Ben and ’Poose Juice spirits, and made rings out of coins. He also established his own Brother Ben YouTube station where he showcased his classical guitar skills. The Brother Ben name originated from Ben obtaining his ordination online to officiate his friends’ weddings. Ben also volunteered his time playing the guitar at both the school and the library.
Ben and Terri VanDenBerg, the love of his life, initially crossed paths during their college years. In 2018, they rekindled their relationship, marking the beginning of a renewed and enduring bond. During their five years together, they enjoyed exploring new places like Mexico, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. On date nights, they loved trying different foods from around the world. They dreamed of growing old together and having future adventures.
Ben cultivated a deep bond with nature, finding joy in every chance to discover the outdoors. He enjoyed sporting activities such as camping, fishing for steelhead, swimming, snorkeling, venturing to the coast, and embarking on motorcycle rides with friends. His passion for biology fueled his appreciation for the scientific intricacies of the natural world. As an amateur chef, Ben enjoyed making different creations with ingredients that he caught, foraged, and grew in his garden.
Ben is survived by his loving partner, Terri VanDenBerg, his daughters Destiny, Serenity, and Paige, his parents Scott and Dahnielle Wells, and his siblings Jonathan Wells and Rebekah Horne.
The loss of Ben is deeply felt, and we mourn the missed opportunities for shared moments and new memories ahead. Ben's laughter, love, and unique spirit are intricately woven into each cherished memory of him. The void left by the absence of his warm presence cannot be filled. We will dearly miss his humor, his kind heart, his infectious joy, his music, and the distinct mark he left on each of us.
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