Jacob Benedict

Jacob Benedict, the most loyal and loving husband, son, brother, and friend, tragically passed away in a car accident on June 14th, 2024. Born in Little Rock, AR on July 5th, 1994, Jacob loved and supported the Hogs hard, but loved and supported his family, friends, and especially his wife even harder. Jacob’s passion for sports, bourbon, family, and camaraderie radiated and brought joy to all who crossed his path; his humor and laugh were contagious.

Jacob exclusively attended Benton Schools, graduating alongside his future bride from Benton High School in 2012. A longtime attendee of Centerpoint Church, he looked forward to Wednesday nights with his friends every week. When he, his sisters, and his lifelong friends were younger, their Mountain View Road neighbors would frequently hear laughter and hollering as Jacob teased and swam and rode go-karts and dirt bikes, before he came home to his favorite meal of “mom’s cheeseburger mac.” Jacob’s typically reserved nature withdrew and a fiery competitor shone through on the gridiron during his athletic involvement with the Future Panthers, Benton Football, and Henderson State University Reddies. Attending Youth Razorback Camps and watching Hogs games with his dad and Uncle Dave began Jacob’s unceasing support for the University of Arkansas Athletics.

Although Jacob met the love of his life, Kristen, in high school, they reconnected in 2016 and quickly developed a tender yet profound relationship. They married on October 24th, 2020. Jacob seized every moment and every day, spending time improving his golf game, fine-tuning his fantasy football rosters, and honing his bourbon-tasting palette. Boating on weekend lake days, watching sporting events (particularly live football), enjoying rowdy nights with a tightly-knit friend group, and - at his wife’s eager insistence - traveling domestically and abroad to unique locations were some of his best-loved activities. Jacob eagerly anticipated becoming a father and deeply looked forward to a future family and memories he planned on creating with his beautiful wife. 

A man of sincere faith, Jacob will be most remembered for his unwavering strength and peace. The way he lived and loved set the example for how others should.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers Don Benedict (P) and Steve Sumners (M). 

He is survived by wife, Kristen Benedict; parents: Donny and Tammy Benedict; sisters: Jordan (Vern) Watkins and Josie Benedict; and grandparents: Susan (M) Sumners, and Leon and Genny (P) Blaylock. 

Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, June 22 at Centerpoint Church, 20383 Interstate 30, in Benton, Arkansas.

Jacob would have desired donations to a Go Fund Me (Honoring Jacob Benedict) in lieu of flowers.

He is missed tremendously by all who knew him, but particularly by his wife and family.