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John S. Benjamin
John was born April 14, 1960, in Bath, New York to George “Bud” and Joyce Benjamin. He graduated from Avoca Central High School, Avoca, New York in 1978. Upon graduation, John enlisted in the Navy, serving as a submariner. During his last year, he was approached by Del Black of Woodward Governor Company, who asked him what he thought of their governors, to which John replied that the governors were good, but the manuals sucked. Del then said he was tasked with improving the manuals and invited John to come to Colorado and apply for a job at Woodward. John accepted a job there in the Field Service Department and lived with Del and his wife Kitty until he bought his first home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Woodward is where he met his wife, Valeri.
John and Valeri were married on September 15, 1989, on an excursion train where they had booked the Epicuny Car which ran from Laramie, Wyoming to Walden, Colorado. It happened that a class of children were in the next car on a field trip, and were so excited that a wedding was happening, so their teacher asked if the couple would walk through their car. Someone took a picture with all the children.
In the ensuing nine years John and Valeri enjoyed many adventures. In 1993, Woodward asked John to assume the position of General Manager of Woodward de Mexico. In April of 1994 John and Valeri settled in Cuernavaca, a city an hour South of Mexico City. John commuted to Mexico City, and he and Valeri continued their adventures travelling throughout the Caribbean and Mexico.
In September of 1998, their son, Asher, was born in Mexico City, and in April of 1999 they were recalled to Colorado, where they chose to live in Greeley to be near to Valeri’s parents. Their daughter Moriah was born in November 1999 and their family was complete.
John always put his family first and when Woodward sold his division to General Electric, he declined the offer to relocate and started his own business.
John was always deeply committed to his faith, and from their first year at Living Grace Baptist Church, he volunteered to teach a Sunday morning bible study, took mission trips, both in country and to Belarus. John helped wherever needed, cooking, cleaning, making repairs in the church. He used his keen mind to partner with an existing Homeless Ministry which was meeting outdoors, and proposed to the Deacons that quarterly meals could be served in the church building, allowing for showers and a place for the homeless to get warm.
He also managed Lighthouse Food pantry at Hill-N-Park for a few years, increasing the ministry every year he ran it, and creating a vision for a new church. Concurrently he served on the Operations Board of Dayspring Christian Academy, was active in The Christian Businessmen’s Club, and volunteering with his son’s Boy Scout Troop. He cooked with his kids, made writing pens with them, selling at different venues. He taught his children many practical skills and supported them in every trial and endeavor.
Through his business, he met many fascinating people in diverse occupations, and never met anyone he didn’t consider a friend.
Even as his body began to face health challenges, he never allowed it to slow him down, continuing to serve God, his family and friends.
John is survived, by his wife Valeri, children Asher and Moriah, one grandson, Ramsay Score, his aunt Jean Chappell, sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Paul Albee, Nieces Jennifer Albee and Greta, Lindsay Trimble, Nephews, Paul Albee and wife Laura, Hugh Trimble and wife Kathryn, and numerous great nephews and cousins.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Bud & Joyce Benjamin, one niece, Amber Olson, and several aunts and uncles.
Services will be held January 16, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at First Assembly of God church, 3000 16th Street Greeley, Colorado.
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Northern Colorado Crematory
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