Benny Fairchild

Bennie Lee Fairchild, age 83, died September 4, 2022, after suffering declining health for some time.

He was born in St. Joseph, LA, on August 27, 1939, and lived in the Monroe, LA, area until he was 12 when the family moved to Colorado when his dad was hired by Climax Molybdenum at Climax, Co.  He lived in Leadville until his retirement when he moved to Grand Junction in 1994.

His parents were GC and Mahamalea (Nielsen) Fairchild.

He attended school in Leadville, Co.

He was a miner and cement boss for various Colorado water and highway projects starting in 1957 when he borrowed $5 each from several family members to have enough to join the Laborers Union #720.  He was proud of having worked on both bores of the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnels.

He especially enjoyed his family and his yard with many fruit trees, roses and tomatoes.

He was a dedicated, hard-working family man and was described by his wife as spelling the word  fun "work".

Bennie was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Bonnie and granddaughter Amy; brothers GC, Loyd, Tommy; sisters Jackie and Billie.

Bennie is survived by spouse Janis; son Terry; daughters; Shona(Jim) and Maggie, Pam(Randy) and Susan(Jerry).  Grandchildren Dylan(Marissa), Brendon(Riley), Lania, Whittney, Liam, Tommy, Timm, Devon(Bell), Alysa, Austin, Michael(KayLee), Jesse(Kara) and Chelsea(Jimmy).  Great Grandchildren Riggs, Bearon, Dexlan, Madalyn and Ezra; Sisters Carolyn and Dorothea.

At his request there will be no services.

Memorial Contributions in Bennie's name may be made to Mesa County Library 443 N. 6th, Grand Junction, Co 81501.

Services have been entrusted to Browns Cremation and Funeral Services.