Benjamin Ruben Soushek, 81, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Dec. 28, 2019.

He was born April 1, 1938, in Roy, Montana, the third son of the late Augustine A. Soushek and Luella Jane (McClure) Soushek. The family moved to Washington in the winter of 1939 and continued to grow the family at their Maple Valley homestead they dubbed “Wilderness Ravine.” He built his own home on the family property at the age of 20 and was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly thereafter. He completed his GED in the army and served for two years with and honorable discharge. In early 1966 he met Joanette Marie Gauthier and they married in November of that year.

He worked for King County Road Services as a sign installer and road striping operator for more than 30 years before retiring in January 2002. He also was a jack-of-all-trades and was constantly contemplating new projects, helping hundreds of people with his creations, materials and donations. He was civic-minded and volunteered on the Maple Valley Community Council for many years.

He is survived by his wife Joanette; son Brian; daughter Julie and husband Robert DeWard; siblings Earl Soushek, Anna Nicholas, Robert Soushek, Mary Johnson, Edith Carter, Tom Evans and Rose Evans; and two grandsons. He was preceded in death by his eldest brother Charles.

A service of remembrance is planned for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, at Federal Way United Methodist Church, 29645 51st Ave. S., Auburn, 98001. Internment of ashes will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent at a later date. In lieu of flowers those who wish to make donations in his memory can give to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Providence Hospice.