Ben Croft, 89, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018 in the care of Community Hospice in Jacksonville, FL. Ben was born December 24, 1928 to Cline and Verna (Bell) Croft in Soddy-Daisy, TN. However, he spent his childhood living outside of Pikeville, TN.
At the age of 15, Ben and his family moved to Florida and it was then that he joined the Merchant Marine. At the age of 18, he met his future bride, Katherine Partain, when she was visiting Jacksonville, FL with her family. They stayed in touch for two years after their first meeting and were married in Atlanta, GA in 1949. It was there that Ben and Katherine started their family and Ben began a career as a commercial baker. Ben worked for Merida and A&P bakeries which eventually led him to move his growing family, now including three daughters, to Jacksonville, FL.
Ben’s life was full of adventure - he loved to travel as well as spend time with his family and friends. He was actively involved in the Ribault Lion’s Club and the Knights of Columbus during his life. Ben was also an avid poker player and marksman. He never met a stranger and enjoyed telling stories to everyone he met, especially stories about his grandchildren.
Ben is survived by his daughters, Brenda (Alan) Urmson, Verna (Robert) Asendorf, and Virginia Sapp; grandchildren, Kristine (Bryan) Davis, Robert (Christina) Asendorf Jr., Alison (Evan) Majoros, Kelli (Curtis) Willis, David (Michelle) McClure, and Rachael (Raymond) DeLano; great-grandchildren, Aliyah, John, Alan, Bryce, and Jackson; brother, David (Geraldine) Croft; sisters, Azalee (Clifford) Duggar and Katherine Kelly. Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine, his parents, his brother, Jim Croft, and his sister, Dorothy Lewis.
Ben will be cremated and his ashes scattered by his family in a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Hospice or the International Lion’s Club.
