Benjamin Gonzalez Partida

Benjamin "Ben" Gonzalez Partida, aged only 15, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2020 in Junction City, Kansas. He was born on July 22, 2005 in Gelnhausen, Germany, to his beloved parents Sergio and Jessica Partida. He was beginning his sophomore year at Junction City High School where he was a member of the track and soccer team. A sweet and quiet young man, Ben was known by his family and friends to be quick-witted, sarcastic, funny, kind, and most of all, caring.

Ben was an extremely intelligent, straight A student that teachers loved having in their classroom. He was an avid gamer- staying up all hours of the night to play video games and talk with friends that lived all over the U.S. in different time zones. Ben loved crazy hats, chopping wood, playing soccer, camping, and cooking gadgets- especially his hot dog roller. He could have lived off eating nothing but candy and drinking nothing but soda had he been left to his own devices. He also loved Ramen Noodles, MREs, ranch dressing (but not that weird avocado or cucumber ranch stuff), good food that someone else cooked (as long as it wasn't vegetarian), and fast food that someone else bought and hand-delivered to him. He loved to walk around with bare feet and hated to comb his hair. To have known Ben is to have loved him. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.

Ben is survived by his parents Sergio and Jessica Partida of Junction City, KS; his brother, Moses Partida of Junction City, KS; his paternal grandparents, Aroldo and Yolanda Partida of Susanville, CA; his maternal grandparents, Dan and Madeline Leslie of Many, LA. He also leaves behind his loving paternal aunts and uncles, Angelica Rodriguez, Gustavo and Angela Rodriguez, Mirella Partida, and Aroldo Jr. Partida of Susanville, CA; his loving maternal aunts and uncles Matthew and Jennifer Leslie of Many, LA and Nathan and Lindsay Dahlem of Junction City, KS; devoted family friends Jon, Kim, and Kinsey Graham, Haydn Basher, and Justin Couvertier; his closest friends Logan Linhart of Junction City, KS and Ian Riley of Honolulu, HI; 15 cherished cousins; and his beloved dogs, Po and Chapo.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Junction City, Kansas with a reception following at the Partida home. Father Gnanasekar Kulandai will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home in Junction City, Kansas. A Rosary Prayer Service will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Junction City, Kansas led by Father Joe Brankatelli, U.S. Army Chaplain. Face masks and social distancing are required for all services.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Please visit https://afsp.donordrive.com/campaign/BenPartidaMemorialFund to donate in memory of Ben. Please feel free to leave notes of support, share stories and memories, and donate to help create a world without suicide.

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