Family remembers New Mexico man killed in rare bear attack as resilient and generous

The family of Benjamin Halona, a 67-year-old former wildlife firefighter from New Mexico, is honoring his memory after he was fatally attacked by a bear in his home. They recall his strength and his habit of selling tamales, despite his recent health struggles. The incident occurred when a bear entered his home while his stepson was away.

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The attack occurred August 20 in Crystal, a community within the Navajo Nation, while Halona's stepson Casey was running an errand. Casey heard Halona lock the door before leaving, but returned to find it open with a bear inside. After barricading himself, Casey called relatives who drove over and honked at the animal, prompting it to flee before police shot it. Inside, they discovered Halona's walker undisturbed, suggesting he may have opened the door believing his stepson was returning.

Halona had recently lost his wife Bernadine to illness and was recovering from a seizure that limited his mobility. Beyond his firefighting service, he was known locally for selling tamales and carried nicknames including Ponjo, Mountain Man, and Tamale Man. A devoted Waylon Jennings fan, he once shared a personal moment singing "