Tim Aragon was determined to find his father, who disappeared last Sunday while on a walk with his dog on the Jordan River Parkway Trail.

On Saturday, Aragon got the "bittersweet" news that swiftwater rescue crews had recovered the body of his dad, Benjamin "Bennie" Aragon, 79, after a person on a morning walk next to the Jordan River spotted the elderly man.

Throughout the week, Tim Aragon and his extended family canvassed the neighborhood with fliers asking for help finding the missing West Valley City man. On Saturday morning, Tim Aragon and other family members were blowing up inflatable rafts and scouting areas to independently search for him, but then police called. They told him they had found a body in the Jordan River. A few hours later they confirmed it was Bennie Aragon.

"It was bittersweet," Tim Aragon said. "Nobody wants to hear their father is dead, but not knowing is even worse."

Salt Lake City police had responded earlier in the day to a report of a body partially submerged in the water against heavy debris under a train bridge near 1700 South and Redwood Road. West Valley City Police Lt. Dalan Taylor said the clothes, description and wallet of the man matched that of Bennie Aragon.

"It appears Mister Aragon slipped and fell into the river," Taylor said Saturday.

Tim Aragon said it is difficult for him to believe his father died by falling in the river. Police said there were no obvious signs of trauma when the body was recovered. An autopsy will be performed.

Tim Aragon noted his father suffered from early-stage Alzheimer's disease and recently had become forgetful. But he is comforted by knowing his dad may have fallen in while doing something he loved: walking the trail with his dog.

"He was a great father, a loving dad and a great friend," Tim Aragon said. "He will be missed."

Because Bennie Aragon frequently walked the trail with his dog, police used the animal to try to learn where he may have fallen in. Police took the dog off its leash near the river to see where it would go. Taylor said the dog led them to an area near 2900 South along the Jordan River, and started whining. Taylor said they believe this is where Aragon may have fallen in, then floated about a mile downstream before being stopped by debris. Aragon's body was found about 10 a.m. but wasn't removed until about 12:30 p.m.

Earlier in the week, dog teams and police searched a stretch of the Jordan River Parkway without turning up anything. On Thursday, crews searched by helicopter the exact area where Aragon was found Saturday morning but saw nothing.

The family released a statement Saturday night thanking those who helped with the search.

"Through the years Benjamin Aragon has proven him self as a dedicated husband, loving father and trusted friend," the family wrote. "He brought a smile to all those he came in contact with."

He was last seen on the trail with his dog about 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 18, but didn't return to his home near 2500 South and Chesterfield Street (1160 West). Aragon's family called police to report him missing after his dog, wet and still wearing its leash, came home without him about 6:30 p.m.

cimaron@sltrib.com Twitter: @CimCity