Ben Molina Sr.

Ben attended San Jon High School in San Jon, New Mexico, where he was part of a graduating class of 19 students. During his time there, he enjoyed playing on the basketball team.

After high school, Ben joined the military, serving in the US Army as a diesel mechanic during the Korean War. Following his military service, he relocated from New Mexico to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he worked as a foreman for Taylor Fence Company. It was during this period that he met his wife, Dora, who lived in Pueblo. They married in 1956 and started a family a few years later. Ben eventually moved to Pueblo, continuing his work with Taylor. In the late 1950s, he and his brother Raymond started Molina Fence Co. Ben later established Ben Molina Fence Co in the late 1970s, where he continued to work alongside his son, Ben Jr., until he was in his 80s.

Ben was preceded in death by his father Raymond Sr., mother Cornelia, brother Raymond Jr., and brother Fidel. He is survived by his wife Dora; sons Bennie (Lisa) Molina and Dwight (Bernadette Sanchez-) Molina; daughter Cathy (Phillip) Montoya; and brother John (Loyola) Molina. Ben is also survived by his grandchildren: Nicholas (Jaida Koehler-) Molina, Audrey (Gene) Perlas Jr., Jaclyn, Christopher Molina, Alyssa Molina, Britney (Johnny) Kern, Brandon (Sandy) Montour, Nathan Montour, Gabrielle (Pat) Baca, Danielle (Erik) Guerrero, Simon (Angeline) Sanchez-Molina, Alec (Brooke) Montelongo, and Phillip (Amy McHone) Montoya, along with 26 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

In his personal life, Ben enjoyed camping, fishing, and mentoring youth as a Boy Scout Master. He had a passion for motorcycling, particularly dirt bikes, and loved going dancing with Dora, friends, and family. He cherished road trips and had a lifelong love for crossword puzzles, solitaire, and learning about history, government, and how things worked. Ben also took up leather working.

Ben was a man who believed in the strength of family. He taught that no matter how hard life gets, you take care of your family and stick together. Known for his strength, kindness, and patience, Ben had a wonderful sense of dry humor. He was smart, practical, and levelheaded, with a knack for coming up with practical solutions for both his work and home. His legacy of family and resilience will be remembered by all who knew him.