Benjamin D Sassaman

Benjamin Del Sassaman, 46, Jacksonville, FL, passed away unexpectedly November 20, 2019, at his home. Ben was born in Olathe, KS, December 11, 1972, to Steve and Connie (Livingston) Sassaman. Ben spent his early childhood in Casper, WY, Olathe, Carbondale and Burlingame, KS, Lee’s Summit, MO and then to Jacksonville, FL. Ben owned and operated a residential painting company in the Kansas City area prior to moving to Jacksonville where he continued remodeling. Ben was a perfectionist when it came to his work. Through the years, Ben took up many areas of remodeling including tile work, flooring, sheetrock, etc. and was very good at his work. Ben was a lover of snakes and reptiles and has bred, raised, traded and sold them since he was 14 years old. Ben had a love of music and with his companion, Allison Cooke, traveled and followed the band “Widespread Panic” around the US. His weekends consisted of attending shows and concerts in and around Jacksonville and St. Augustine area. Over the years, Ben met many friends with the same love of music which became his second family. Ben was a handsome man with a contagious smile. Very seldom did you see Ben without a smile on his face. Ben always enjoyed a beer or two or three and loved spending time in his garage listening to his music, drinking beer and enjoying his snakes. Ben and his mother had a very special bond spending a lot of time together going to music venues, sitting in the garage or just being with one another. Ben is survived by three sons, Nathaniel Barret Sassaman, Odessa, MO; Benjamin Michael Sassaman, Ft. Benning, GA; and Eric Montgomery Sassaman, Jacksonville, FL. Also surviving are his mother, Connie Livingston, Jacksonville, FL; his father, Steve Sassaman, Ottawa, KS; two sisters, Cristal Roberts, Scranton, KS; and Molly Super, Jacksonville, FL; his grandmother, Irma Sassaman, Ottawa, KS; three grandchildren, Phenix Sassaman, Odessa, MO; Aurora and Leo Sassaman, Ft. Benning, GA; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and a large extended family. Ben was preceded in death by his significant other, Terri Burt; his uncle, Paul Brian Bartlett; his grandparents, Dean Livingston, Russell and Jean Bartlett, Joe Sassaman and his furry 3-legged friend, “Lady Luck”. A private memorial service will be held Friday, December 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, FL. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 14, 2019, starting at 3:00 pm at the home of Kelly Parody in Jacksonville, FL. The family will greet friends at 5:00 pm. A family get together will be Sunday, December 15, 2019, at noon at Dick’s Wings, 10550 Old St Augustine Rd., Jacksonville, FL. A Celebration of Life will also be held in Kansas sometime later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Contributions be sent to Connie Livingston in memory of Benjamin Sassaman to 4465 Black Alder Ct., Jacksonville, FL 32258. St John’s Family Funeral Home, St Augustine, FL, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Benjamin D Sassaman

December 11, 1972 - November 20, 2019