Sgt. Brock A. Benson

Sgt Brock A. Benson passed away unexpectedly on March 7th in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 23. Brock found his calling to serve our country and took great pride in enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in January of 2008.

In September 2010, Brock deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and returned home in February 2011. Among all of the many honors he received while serving, one of the most notable was earning a meritorious promotion to Corporal on March 2, 2010 for outstanding service. He later went on to obtain the rank of Sergeant on January 1, 2012. Brock worked exceptionally hard to successfully earn the titles of Marine Corps Martial Arts Green Belt Instructor and Combat Marksmanship Instructor. His most recent career field was with Bravo Company Intelligence Support Battalion for Bravo Company.

Brock was born on June 27, 1988 at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. He was adopted by his very excited parents, Russ and Trina, on August 5th which would forevermore be celebrated as his “Gotcha Day.” Two years later he became a proud big brother to Bryant Benson. Brock gained another brother in high school when Brad Schultz came to live with the Bensons and became a part of the family.

Brock grew up on the family ranch where he took great interest in livestock. It was there that he was taught his hard work ethic and discipline which led to his successes in 4H, FFA, basketball, football, and track. Brock earned several awards, both individually and alongside his fellow Hi-Plains Patriots, including state titles and the school’s first ever basketball state championship. Brock was a lifetime member of St. Charles Catholic Church of Stratton where he was baptized, received his first communion, and was confirmed. The Catholic faith continued to hold great significance throughout his life.

Music took a hold of Brock at the young age of 5 when he first learned to play the piano. Over the years he also became an accomplished guitarist, drummer, and singer. This led to his astounding ability to play music by ear and compose his own songs. Brock also participated in a number of plays, recitals, and performances over the years.

Following high school, Brock went to Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado to be with his good buddy Kyle Bancroft. After a semester of secondary education, he decided to change direction and take on a new challenge with his childhood friend, Tony Minasi, and enlisted in the Corps.

Brock met his future wife at a National FBLA conference in Nashville, Tennessee in the summer of 2006. In December of 2008, after braving a blizzard snowstorm to ask her father for her hand in marriage, Brock proposed to Jamie Houin. They celebrated their union with friends and family on March 27th, 2010 at St. Francis of Assissi Catholic Church. Brock and Jamie shared their home with their two beloved dogs, Bishop and Toby.

H e is survived by his wife: Jamie Benson, parents, stepparents, & in-laws: Russell & Deb Benson, Trina & Jim Lewis, Keith & Cathy Houin, brother: Bryant Benson, grandparents: Roger & Marsha Kliesen, Steve & Audrey Benson, along with numerous cherished family and friends.

He was preceded in death by Kimberly Benson.

Services for Brock will be as follows: Wake & Prayer Vigil is on March 14th at 7pm at St. Francis of Assissi, 2650 Parish View, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, Funeral Mass is on March 15th at 10am at St. Francis of Assissi, and a Memorial Service on March 17th at 10am at Hi-Plains High School, 200 Iowa Avenue Seibert, CO 80834, and Burial immediately following at Flagler Cemetery in Flagler, CO.

The family requests in honor of Brock Benson, that contributions be made in lieu of flowers to the Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org