Jerry Benjamin

Jerry Lee Benjamin, 71, was born on July 8, 1952, to Urdia Roberts and Jack Benjamin in Colby, Kansas. He died May 23, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He was raised in Selden, Dresden, Oakley and Burr Oak. He graduated from Burr Oak High School and then earned a welding certificate from Goodland Vo-Tech. 

He married Laura Ballard in Esbon on May 26, 2007.

He was a man of many talents. He was a welder, sheriff’s deputy, semi-truck driver and made metal cut outs of all kinds. He enjoyed working with horses, doing trail drives with friends and riding 4-wheelers. He was an unofficial volunteer at White Rock Academy, where he wanted to make a difference in the young men and women there. He helped many leave a new person and he was proud of each of them. 

He was a member of the local Lion’s Club until they disbanded, a city council member, and he helped bring the ambulance to Esbon as well as volunteering for the Esbon Fire Department. He also helped with Esbonfest for several years and enjoyed doing it. 

He would be seen driving around with his dogs, Jake and Tucker.

Jerry was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Tina; his parents, Urida and Jack Benjamin; in-laws, Shirley and Jack Stephenson; grandparents, Marguerite and Fred Rogers; and sister, Delilah Pate.

He is survived by his wife, Laura, of the home; stepson, Brice Ballard (Kari); grandsons, Tristin, Kaidin, and Braetin, Alton, Kansas; daughter, Kiley Coggiola (Josh); granddaughters, Raegan and Lacy, Lewisville, North Carolina; stepdaughters, Chelsey Oltman (Travis) and children, Minden, Nebraska, and Jaralee Hughes of Smith Center, Kansas; brothers, Mike Benjamin (Linda), Olathe, Kansas, George Benjamin (Joy), North Bend, Washington; sister, Deb Haley (Dwight) of Sachse, Texas; brother-in-law, Eldon Pate, Esbon, Kansas; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, friends, and neighbors.

A private family burial will take place at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family. Melby Mortuary is assisting with arrangements.