John Albert Benedict

John Albert Benedict, lovingly known as Dad, Papa, Tata, and Coach, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, surrounded by love after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on May 23, 1957, and is now resting with Jesus—free from pain and reunited with loved ones who went before him.

There will never be enough words to fully capture what John meant to those who loved him. He was our best friend, our favorite cowboy, and the very best dad we could have ever asked for. We feel incredibly blessed to have a dad who never had to make up for lost time, and who left nothing unsaid. He was the most present, intentional, and loving dad to us, and especially to his grandchildren.

Known as Coach to countless young men, John was a lifelong lover of football and a natural mentor. Through coaching, leadership, and example, he shaped lives far beyond the field. One of the greatest comforts in his final days came from hearing from former players who reached out to tell him how deeply he had impacted them—words that meant everything to him and spoke volumes about the legacy he leaves behind.

John’s heart also belonged to the land. He deeply loved the Sonoita–Patagonia area and the Santa Rita Mountains, and to him, there were few places more beautiful. As a boy, he grew up working on ranches throughout this region, learning the values of hard work, grit, humility, and stewardship of the land—lessons that shaped the cowboy he would always remain at heart. As an adult, he shared his love for the land through hunting and time outdoors with his grandchildren, passing down not just skills, but respect for nature, patience, and tradition. Those wide-open spaces, rolling grasslands, and mountain horizons were where he felt most at peace.

As Papa and Tata, John had a way of showing up for his grandchildren no matter the task or the moment. Whether helping, teaching, listening, laughing, or simply being present, he did so without hesitation and with a full heart. He made each grandchild feel deeply seen, loved, and valued, leaving them with memories and lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Even in the face of a devastating diagnosis, John’s humor never faded. In true Benedict fashion, he laughed through the hardest moments with his children, finding joy and light when it was needed most. He was rarely serious, always joking, and his laughter remains one of his greatest gifts.

Though our hearts are shattered, John’s presence was so constant and his love so steady that we know he will always be with us. We imagine him now riding horses through open country, reunited with his parents, Fred and Ramona Benedict, surrounded by the beauty he loved most—and, without a doubt, still causing a little trouble.

John is survived by his son, Jason Benedict, and his wife, Emily, and their children Michael, Aleena (and her husband, Codey Juergensen), Jens, and Jaren; and by his daughter, Sabrina Benedict-Monteverde, her husband Andy, and their children Noah and Dani. He is also survived by his brother, Fred Benedict, and his sisters, Emilia Benedict and Sylvia Benedict. John is lovingly remembered by his former wife and lifelong friend, Mary (Maria) Benedict, whose enduring presence and support remained an important part of his life.

John’s faith in God and his love for Jesus Christ were the foundation of his life, and we find comfort knowing he now rests fully in the presence of his Savior.