Last night at 9:45 pm one of the guys in the band I led bible studies for last year gave me a call. Landon told me his friend Ben, age 17, had died in a motorcross accident during some practice time.
Since 1995 I’ve gotten calls like this…. and I don’t think we’re ever ready for any of them. Kelly Hawkins died that year as I had just started working as a youth minister. That crushed my life beyond recognition. In the years since… Grandpa, Aunt Joyce, Emilio, Johnny, John, …the list just goes on.
Ben was a student of mine back in my high school teaching days. As a freshman and Junior, I got to know this kid…and during his junior year, he started coming to Celebration Church with his friends on Wednesday nights.
Today he’s gone. On September 16 of his senior year, he died tragically. The phone has not stopped ringing. I can’t finish one text without receiving another. Myspace is melting down with heartache. We hit both high schools today in our area, and both almost ran out of tissues. His family called back this afternoon, I spent some time with them, and I can’t find any words to describe one bit of this.
I love you Ben. You’re a trickster and quite possibly the funniest kid I ever met. Your friends are just ruined today. I lost count of the number of kids who cried around me at both schools-not to mention the middle school kids that look up to you. A days like a thousand years in heaven, so this earth is far behind you. For us, this day has been a long day too. See you on the other side.
For friends of Ben, feel free to leave a comment here with a story about Ben… I’m going to share a few at his funeral and others with his family. thanks so much.
Big John
Tags: bartram trail high school, ben geiger, creekside, jacksonville, motocross, motorcross, st. augustine florida
It’s the hardest – or close to the hardest – part of the job and one you’ll hopefully never get used to.
Ben and i used to be real close because we were step brothers and i feel horible now that he is gone. When i lived there i hung out with him all the time and i looked up to him like he was my real bother.I hadn’t seen him for almost 5 years, I think. I wish i could to have spent more time with him and i hate myself for not doing so and i’m so sorry for this tragic incident.
thanks jonolan for the words of encouragement..you’re right, i never want to get used to times like this. thanks for the empathy…
joseph, i just want you to know that those times you spent with ben were a blessing to him. you were a part of the world that made him who he was to us. i hope to meet you at the funeral monday at 3pm at fcbc. don’t hate yourself for that…just keep being a gift to the world around you.
it really sucks to see someone u knew or love go so soon he had so much ahead of him goal dreams a family of his own u never know what or when its your time to u you just cant hold back and he didnt he died doing something he loved and he will never be forgotten
thanks for your words taylor. did i meet you last night?lets be sure to get together this week at the funeral home or funeral.
no i used to work for big bens a few yrs back and i am friends with lil who has a son named Ryan who raced with Ben i talked to her night and she said she went to bens house and talked with him u can call me if u like 465-6312
its really is hard to think about stuff and you know tomorrow is not promised but its hard to understand gods plan for us and why some people who are monsters get to grow very old and ppl like ben who should still be here today there lives are cut so short
Big John, I know his Grandmother Sally through and learned of this today when I read the short message she left on her blog. Could you be so kind as to drop me an e-mail with the funeral home and other information.
I used Google to see if I could find any information and actually found the tv station article and then Googled his name which brought me here.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Though I don’t know you (or Ben) the experience you are going through is common, Big John. I have lost a few good friends to similar tragedies and mishaps.
Holy Scripture says that the LORD will wipe away all tears from our eyes. It doesn’t say that He might, or that He wants to, or that He could, simply that He WILL.
You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time — Steve
I knew ben from 7th grade when i had class with him and landon. we always had fun, ben was so funny and honestly, really nice. I wish I could bring him back for just a minute or two and just apologize and also tell him how amazing he was. it breaks my heart that he is gone and I just hope he is in a happier, better place and that his family is doing okay. riding dirtbikes must have been his biggest love, i remember him talking about it all the time. Atleast he died doing what he loved best. “only the good die young”.
Rest in peace honey, I miss you, and i love you.
i’ll never forget you.
Ben was an amazing guy who touched so many lives. Ben could make anyone, friends or strangers, laugh no matter what the occassion. I knew Ben for 2 years, it was actually at the racetrack I met him. He loved to be a goofy kid & mess around & have fun. I know I never saw him have a serious side, but I’m sure he had one. In Ben’s eyes it seemed as though the world should be full of laughter & happiness. That’s why I believe he was such a goofy guy. I don’t have very many stories of him, I wasn’t very close with him. One of my favorite memories though, was one night at a bon fire with a ton of friends around Ben decided it would be funny to try and start up a game. So for 3 hours about 10 of us played ring around the rosie, but actually ring around the fire, cause we circled the fire. instead of sitting in the middle like in a normal game, Ben decided the person who got caught had to prank call someone they had a crush on. The night was full of laughter as people’s secret crushes were revealed and phone calls were made. It was a night I’ll never forget and always cherish. Ben was loved by many and will be missed so very much. It’s so upsetting to know that I will never get to play ring around the fire or hear another joke from you again. We miss you & love you Big Ben<3
Everyone loved ben. idk too many people who didn’t like him. he was a great friend. I wasn’t the closest person with him our junir year or senior year for that matter. Sophmore year we were tight. Mrs.Butler used to get so mad when all of us would crack jokes during class.
Ben always found a way to make someone laugh.
I love you & miss you big ben <3 #47 We’ll always rememeber you buddie
My son Is 9 years old and we always saw Ben at the differnet tracks racing and he quickly became a friend to my son Kyle#94 he went out on the track to help cheer him on and he always went out of his way to come over and hang out with us for a few minutes at a race. the last time I saw Ben and his family was at the Winter AMS race. Ben’s family was always very nice and friendly. Our prayers are with him and his family. I have a few pictures of Ben from the track if his family is interested I will be happy to send them my email is mermer10@hotmail.com I wish we could make it to the funeral but we moved to South Carolina about 7 months ago.
We missed you at the game Friday!! (#47 Big Ben).
Thanks for letting us know you were there in spirit and watching us play! as per score board “47-0″ !! You were alwayz funny that way!!
Love Ya Brother, lil JR
To BIg john,your super sweet wife and to everyone else….just found this….thank you all sooooo much for being there….supporting us….today is 5 weeks to the day…..I am still verrrrrrry sad…..but I know Ben would want me to be happy…and everyone he knew to be happy…please continue with your prayers….our family are going to need as many prayers that we can get …to help us…Love….lil Bens mom 47