Ben Clifton Memorial Fund

James Benjamin Clifton or as everyone knew him as "Ben", passed away June 22, 2020 of a sudden cardiac arrest in his home. This came as a shock to his family and friends and puts into perspective how precious life is.  He was born March 3, 1959; to Barbara and Charles Clifton in Monterey California. Ben is one of  4 children his eldest sibling Charles Jr., then his two younger brothers Robert and Keith. From a young age he loved working with his hands, tearing down and rebuilding things to see how they worked.  Starting with working on his own bicycle and eventually working all vehicles he had truly found his calling and passion. He spent the majority of his life around vehicles and he was always at home under a hood with grease on his hands. Except for a few years while he was going to college and falling in love with his soul mate, he resided in Monterey with his family. Ben married his wife Jody Clifton, on June 21, 1980. They celebrated their 40th anniversary the day before he passed away. Ben met Jody on July 2nd, 1977 and they both realized immediately that they were soulmates.  They met in Denver, Colorado. They welcomed their only son  Travis in August of 1989, and his wife and son were his entire world. He was a family man in every sense of the word, there was not a day that would go by that he wouldn't welcome a chance to wrap his wife or son in his memorable bear hug. Ben graduated Denver Automotive Institute in 1978 and then graduated Universal Tech Institute in 1979. After that he worked in the automotive industry for over twenty five years and it was truly his passion being able to fix vehicles and help people.  There was never a problem to small or too big that he would not take head on, he loved any and all challenges.  For a 12 period Ben worked with his family business running the office, he took great pride in everything he did and he helped everywhere he could. He always believed in hard work and his work ethic always shined through.  He truly was a people person and made lasting impacts on everyone he encountered.   If anyone ever needed anything he was always available anytime anywhere, he was a "yes" man. Ben loved spending time down the coast at one of his closest friends property.  Whether it was chopping wood, creating and building, planting crops, clearing roads or just having some drinks and a good time around the fire. He truly was at peace in the outdoors and it brought him so much joy to be able to spend time with family and friends.  Ben was a very proud man and his motto was, "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing it right the first time." That is how he lived his life, to the fullest and never took anything for granted. His values, work ethic, and love for life are unparalleled , he was one of a kind.  Ben will forever be missed by his wife of 40 years, Jody, his parents Chuck (father), Bobbie (mother), three brothers Chuck, Rob,  and Keith, son Travis, daughter-in-law Diane, two grandchildren Axel, Claire, and all of his family and friends.  In lieu of flowers the family has started a GoFundMe to help raise money for his wife during the tragic and unforeseen passing.  For additional information please visit the Bermudez Family Cremations and [email redacted]