Obituary of Ben J. Logan

Ben Jerome Logan, aged 75, died Sunday, January 7, 2018 at Watauga Medical Center. He passed away because of a blood clot to the lung. He is survived by his wife, Katherine and their two sons, Mark, aged 32, and Kevin, aged 24, both living in Charlotte, NC. Ben�s eldest son, Michael, lives near Buffalo, NY with his wife Diane, and Ben�s daughter, Linda, lives near Rochester, NY with her husband Ron. Linda and Ron�s children are Ben�s three grandchildren: Mary, aged 17, and Joseph and John, twins aged 12. Ben was predeceased by his brother, Jim, and an infant son, Scott Christopher. Ben was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, to Mary and Ben Kwitowski. He got his first paper route at age 8. He graduated with an engineering degree in Electrical from Erie County Technical Institute. He worked at Bell Aerospace Systems as an engineer, and served in the US Army. In 1984, Ben and Katherine moved to Boone, NC, where he continued his business, Logan Heating and Cooling, serving the High Country for almost 35 years. In addition to heating and air conditioning work, Ben was also a licensed electrician and plumber, and particularly enjoyed kitchen and bath remodeling. He built the house the family currently lives in (on Daniel Boone Ext) and several spec houses that were sold to members of the community. Ben loved children, both his own and friends�. He was an avid SCUBA diver, and he and Katherine went on many dive trips together. On vacation, he could always be found in or near the water. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Boone, serving as a Deacon and on a number of committees. He was a Christian role model for his family. Ben remodeled cars, and some of his prized possessions were a Datsun 240z and a showroom perfect 1973 Triumph Stag (with hard and soft convertible covers). He was a lover of all music - his favorite bands were Led Zeppelin and Imagine Dragons � and in the last three years he saw live some of the biggest acts in rock n� roll, including The Rolling Stones, Madonna, The Who, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, Imagine Dragons, and The Goo Goo Dolls (his nephew is the bass guitarist). Some of his fondest memories were taking a road trip to the Grand Canyon with Katherine, watching Mark and Kevin perform in theatre productions, teaching his grandchildren to ride bikes, and completing a remodeling project with his son Michael. Despite his health issues in the last 5 years, he has been in good spirits, and continues to inspire those who witness his dedication and resilience. Although many members of the community knew him by his service sticker on their water heater or furnace, he will be more appropriately remembered for his fierce love as a husband, father, mentor, and friend. He cared for those less fortunate, and always lifted others through encouragement and laughter. Ben�s memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Boone. A reception will follow at the church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Hospitality House in Boone or Boy Scout Troop #109 in Boone. Online condolences may be shared with the Logan family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Logan family.