Benjamin Vardaman Fletcher

Benjamin Vardaman Fletcher III, 34, of Columbia, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. He was born in Topeka, Kansas on August 18th, 1990, to Michael and Susan (Mitchell) Fletcher. The family lived in Emporia, Kansas where he spent his early life. At the age of 7 the family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where Ben completed his grade school and middle school education. In 2008, before Ben’s senior year, the family moved to Columbia where Ben graduated from Rock Bridge High School in 2009. During Ben’s senior year he got an old BMW 318i convertible and that began his lifelong love of BMW’s.

Following high school, Ben worked as a car sales associate at Subaru of Columbia where he worked many years. During COVID-19 he worked as a sales associate at Camping World RV Sales. Finally, he joined Kia of Columbia as a sales associate where he worked up until his passing. A special thank you to the Kia of Columbia Management for their support of Benjamin during his battle with cancer. Ben loved selling cars, meeting new people and helping them get their perfect car.

Ben loved the outdoors with the Big Tree and Coopers Landing as well as the Katy Trail among his favorite spots. He enjoyed a good steak and a cigar. He loved hanging with his friends; most being fellow car sales associates. He also loved owning and driving (way too fast) his BMW M4 car. Ben was a member of the Columbia Car Culture community and was involved in their car activities.

An expert gamer, Ben excelled at Halo 2 and RuneScape on a national ranked level. He was a fan of films and novels, including The Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings series. Ben loved his 13-year-old Maine Coon cat, Einstein. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his nephews.

Benjamin is survived by his father Michael and stepmother Lynn Cole; his younger brother, Alexander and his fiancée Jessi English; two stepbrothers, Jeff Cole and his partner Charles Willis, Christopher Cole and fiancée Sydney Schroth; two nephews, Carter and Walker Cole; aunts, Dee Fletcher and Lori Fletcher; and uncle, Les Mitchell and wife Linda.

Ben was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Mitchell Fletcher.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on March 7, 2025, at Broadway Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri with Reverend Sarah Taylor Peck officiating. Friends will be received from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Central Missouri Humane Society: 616 Big Bear Blvd, Columbia, MO 65202.