Jack E. Benn

Jack Edward “Jaybird” Benn, 78, went home to be with the Lord on February 15, 2025.

Born in Akron, Jack was a longtime resident and lifelong supporter of Kenmore. He graduated from Kenmore High School and served in the United States Army. He also graduated with a teaching degree from The University of Akron where he played college basketball. Jack was a member of The Chapel at Green.

For the entirety of his life, Jack loved being around people, playing and watching sports, camping, and traveling. Just like his mom, he never met a stranger. Known also as Jackie, Jaybird, HusBenn, Dad, Daddy-O, Mr. Benn, Daaaaaaaaad, Papa, Pops, and Grandpa, during his retirement years, Jack worked at the Lake YMCA where he was unofficially dubbed “The Mayor”. His genuine kindness, crooked smile, sincere interest in others, contagious enthusiasm, and overflowing optimism brought smiles and laughter to everyone he met. If you were lucky enough to cross paths with him, your life was changed for the better. He would love and accept you where you were and more than likely, give you thumbs up, a hug, a high-five or a combination of the three. Always, the encourager, Jack thrived on lifting the spirits of those around him. He was, and continues to be, a beacon of joy, light, patience, dedication, love, and encouragement—-his goodness just radiated from him. Family was his priority, his faith in Christ was his confidence, and his friends were his support. But most of all, he adored, loved, and treasured his family more completely than anyone else. He was, and continues to be, the #1 fan and champion for his wife, his kids, and his grandchildren in ALL of their endeavors—-always coaching, always cheering, always loving, always inspiring. At the age of 68, Jack hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up with the love of his life, wife Gail, for their 40th anniversary. It was an awe-inspiring, difficult, faith-deepening journey full of breathtaking beauty and challenging switchbacks from which they learned lessons and found comfort that would help prepare them for the times ahead.

Jack was preceded in death by his daughter, Jodee Lynn; parents, Jack D. and Ellen; and sister Judy. He is survived by his best friend & beloved wife of 49 years, Gail; son, Jayson Matthew; daughters, Jill Koch Johnston (George) and Karen Earnsberger (Bobby); grandchildren, Beau, Brianna, Zoe, Spencer, and Suzanna; great-grandchildren, Atlas and Karuna; brothers, David and Jim.

Family and friends will be received Saturday, February 22nd from 11 am to 1 pm at The Chapel in Green, 1800 Raber Rd. Uniontown, OH 44685. A celebration of Jack's life will begin at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Rd. SW, Liburn, GA 30047 or their website, https://www.lbda.org/donate/