Our industry lost a giant this week. As Deborah and I drove to Central City to pay respects to Joe Ben, I struggled to wrap my head around this loss. I found myself repeatedly saying, "I've never known funeral service without Joe Ben."
Joe Ben was a consummate professional. Yet despite his larger than life personality, he always had time to encourage and coach. With Joe Ben, I never had the feeling he was the buyer and I was the seller. Rather he made me feel like we were partners in the higher calling of serving families. And he took pride in both the partnership and the serving.
Joe Ben was a guy who made you want to be better. You never wanted to disappoint Joe Ben. I couldn't help but smile as I noticed the weather. It seems we went from one of the worst February weather weeks in memory to today, one of the warmest and sunniest February days on record. Perhaps even God didn't want to disappoint Joe Ben.
Rest in Peace, Joe Ben. Great was your faithfulness. Great is your reward.
