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Benjamin (Benny) Sargis
Born: September 20, 1945
Died: April 29, 2022
Age at Death: 76 years
Benjamin William Sargis Jr. was born on September 20, 1945, in Sacramento, California and passed away with his family near on April 29, 2022.
Ben was born to Eleanor Angelina Sargis and Benjamin William Sargis Sr. and was the youngest of three children. He and sisters, Sharon and Geraldine, spent their early years in Land Park, where Ben became a staple in the community throughout his life.
Ben attended C.K. McClatchy High School where he graduated from in 1963. In 1965, Ben enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran, who served in the 101st Airborne Division from 1965 - 1968, and did two tours while serving. Shortly before his discharge, he was awarded the Bronze Star, which is the fourth highest award that you can receive.
Ben married Robin Evans in 1983, and they had a Daughter, Alexandra Katherine Sargis (Wessel), in 1984. Ben and Alexandra were inseparable, and remained that way up until his final days. He was also a proud Father-in-law to Joel Wessel and Grandfather to Hunter and Dominique Wessel.
Ben was larger than life; an unconventional soul who was a self proclaimed 'free spirit' . Just his mere entrance into a room created a sort of electric spark that would travel to each corner and back. People would edge closer to him as he told a story, like moths to a flame, eager to hear more, while he fit into any situation with an extreme sense of ease. His laugh was BIG, REAL and insanely infectious and billowed across spaces and conversations and brought smiles to everyone's faces. "BE YOURSELF," was one of Ben's many, many mantras, and that he was - He was one-of-a-kind.
A celebration of life will be held at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the American Cancer Society in Ben's name would be appreciated.
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David Fouche
I wasn't his classmate, just a kindergarten kid in Humboldt County when your class graduated. I met Ben through my husband, David Fouche, on the occassion of David's 60th Birthday Party and Jam Session. Ben was quite an experience to meet and then to develop a friendship with for this poor little country girl! But he was a very loyal and true friend, as well as a great tease and jovial man. It was an honored pleasure to have known and interacted with him. We always looked forward to our trips to Sacramento just to get a chance to spend time with him.
Merilyn Ross-Fouche
Benny and I became friends in the second grade. Through Cub Scouts, kick ball and basketball at the YMCA, through blossoming adolescence into young manhood. Then Benny went off to Viet Nam for two tours with the 101st Airborne Rangers and I went off into the mad world of music and hippiedom. Years later we reconnected and filled in the pages of our respectives pasts. The one constant was the love and respect that we had never lost for each other. To say that I miss him would be a severe understatement. He will always remain in my heart and my mind. I pray the Lord has welcomed him and after a brief delay we will see each other again.
David Fouche
Susie Weidman (Arnold)
Thinking back to CKM days...if you were having a bad day and ran into Benny- you all of a sudden were laughing and feeling better. Benny was one of a kind.
Glad I knew him RIP, dear Benny....until we meet again 💜
Diana Wills (Correa)
I was so sad to hear of Benny's passing. I would always see him at Raleys or Starbucks. He always made me laugh. A great one has left us. Friends since kindergarten.
Margaret Rodda
I thought my relationship with Bennie was special. Now I find out that he made everyone feel that way. It is a real tribute to Bennie that so many of us loved to see him coming our way. What a gift he was to all of us.
Joeann Schoenman (Matthew)
Yes, Bennie was special. And I agree with all comments. He was a fun energetic person, who was my friend.
Way to young to go..
joeann schoenman aka reese, edmonds, matthew
Carol Gee (Siefkin)
What wonderful tributes all of you have written about our friend Benny. Yes he did make all of us smile with his stories and antics but we must realize that he is still making us smile. He was advernturrsome, loyal, a risk taker, a friend to so many and more. Thamks to all of you for sharing your stories as I laughed about basketball at Cal Jr. High to getting money for coke bottles and more. You are true friends. Carol Gee Siefkin
Michael McCarroll
I reluctantly relay this memory as I am certain that the Statute of Limitations has expired. Probably during our Junior year, Benny told me that his Sister and Brother In Law (BIL) were on vacation and tasked him to watch their house. BIL entrusted Benny with the keys (what the ....?) to his brand new Triumph Sports Car (TSC) because he wanted it started every few days and knew Benny couldn't drive stick shift. Benny's "brilliant" idea was that in addition to starting TSC we should take it for a few test drives to make sure everything was o.k. The faster and harder the two teen age crazed lunatic/idiots drove TSC, the more they laughed & laughed; oh what great fun! There were no repurcussions that I know of when BIL returned home, but Benny now knew how to drive stick shift. End of story.
The one, the only Benny Sargis - RIP my friend.
Mike McCarroll
Wanda Kershner (Mason)
Only knew him is passing in halls or few classes. Always remember his smile. Rear on peace. A true heroScott Rodda
I knew Bennie at Crocker Elementry and we were good friends throughout junior high and high school. Bennie was a fun loving guy willing to break the rules when necessary. In the fifth grade, he and I got up on the roof of Crocker and were caught by a teacher and sent to the pricipal. I got off easy with a lecture, but Bennie, as a multiple offender, was spanked pretty hard. It was fortunate that I was able to speak with him at our last reunion and was looking forward to doing the same at the next one. Hard to beleive he is gone, but his spirit lives on.
Caryl Nakamura (Ito)
RIP, Benny... Benny's personality and humor always helped get through the day. I missed him at our last reunion but so happy to speak with him at our 50th I think? He was his same friendly self and he brought back fond memories of friendships back then.
So nice to read all the special memories shared on this site.