Jerry was born to Edwin “Doc” and Winifred “Freddie” Benedix in Modesto, CA on February 19, 1933 and passed away February 11, 2023 peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
He attended Valley Home School and Oakdale High School.
After Jerry’s brother Gene returned home from serving in the military they decided to follow in their Dad’s footsteps and became partners in rice farming.
At the age of 17, Jerry joined the Valley Home Fire Department. He served 50 years in the VHFD. He became the Fire Chief in 1972 of the all-volunteer fire department. His life revolved around the fire department. He loved giving back to the community that he called home.
Jerry had a huge love for airplanes. He held the same reserved seating at the Reno Air Races from 1964 to 2020 never missing a race. It didn’t matter where he was or what he was doing if he heard a plane his eyes instantly turned to the sky.
His other interests included trap shooting at the Escalon Sportsman’s Club and the Oakdale Sportsman’s Club, hunting (especially in Colorado), fishing from the houseboat at Shasta Lake, snowmobiling in the Dardanelles and Sonora Pass area, attending car shows with his son Randy. The most exciting part of the car shows was seeing Randy’s two classic pickups winning first place. He also enjoyed gardening and planted vegetable gardens every year. And lastly he liked to play the slots at the Peppermill Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada.
He was a great mechanic. He was able to take things apart, put them back together and they worked better than new. He always said “If you had baling wire and duct tape and a little luck you can fix anything.”
Jerry’s greatest joy was his family. Spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids was the highlight of his day.
He will be greeted in Heaven by his parents Edwin “Doc” and Winifred “Freddie” Benedix, his in-laws Ed and Louise Deffenbaugh, his brother Gene Benedix, brother-in-law Les Johnson and nephew Rick Johnson.
Jerry leaves behind his wife Edwina, son Randy Benedix, daughter and son-in-law Cindy and Chuck Fleischer, grandchildren and their spouses Bryan Martin (Kimber), Terah Amerine (Garrett), Cody Fleischer (Nikki) and Branden Benedix, great-grandchildren Christian and Colt Amerine, Bryce and Brylee Martin and Jolene Fleischer, nieces and their spouses Pam Blevins (Randy), Barbara Villars (Ken), nephews and their spouses Jerry Johnson (Tammy) and Tim Benedix (Karen).
Visitation is Thursday, February 23 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Oakdale Memorial Chapel, 830 West F Street, Oakdale, CA.
Burial is Friday, February 24 at 10 a.m., Burwood Cemetery, 28320 East River Road, Escalon, CA.
Following burial services there will be a luncheon at Escalon Sportsman’s Club, 25195 River Road, Escalon CA.
Jerry is now flying high with the angels.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Feb. 22, 2023
