Ben Edward Stanfield

Ben ”Ed” Stanfield was born January 15, 1941, in Downey, CA to Bennie Ree and Fontella Jane Stanfield.  He was the youngest of 6 children, and the only boy.  His sisters were: Helen, Majel, Lois, Ruth, and Lola.  He went into the Air Force at the age of 17 and while stationed at McClellan AFB, met and married his “forever” wife, Jerri Christensen.  They were blessed with two beautiful children, Bennae and Chris.  Ed spent his life with the goal of watching over and loving and protecting his family.  Family and his LDS faith were his rewards in life.  Ed accomplished so much in his life and gave constantly to others.   While raising a family and spending quality time with them, he completed his Bachelor’s degree, mentored youth through city and church sport programs, built two homes from the ground up, invited a total of 6 young people to live in his home in order to gain a college education at the nearby community college. He advanced his career to become an “expert” in his field as an inspector of large boilers and machinery.  He absolutely loved dogs and Boxers had a special place in his heart.  All but a few years in the beginning of his married life, he could not resist his canine companions.  Ed was a fantastic cook and loved to prepare special meals for family and friends as an expression of how he loved them.  Lasagna was one of his very favorites, and after Bennae bought him an electric smoker, he was constantly inventing new spices and rubs he could surprise everyone with.  Ed will be sorely missed for his ‘dry wit’ and rightly inherited from his father.  He often told jokes that the rest of us were not quite “getting”, but he would be laughing so hard it didn’t really matter.  He loved Bennae calling him “Homer” very lovingly, and even in his later memory loss never forgot those around him, and NEVER missed a day without saying the words, “I love you, too”.  A gentle giant he was and always will be.  He now lives with the angels and is watching over his family still.  Ed is survived by his wife, Jerri and daughter, Bennae.  He is predeceased by both parents, three sisters, and his beloved son, Chris, who has now been gloriously reunited with him.