Jose Benjamin Aguilar Jr.

Today we gather to honor and celebrate the life of Jose Benjamin Aguilar Jr., lovingly known by many names — Ben, Benjamin, Jose, Benji, Fudge, and Easy Money. Though he was a man of few words, his life spoke loudly through his actions, his service, his loyalty, and his love for family and community.

Jose was born on January 28, 1967, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Jose Benjamin Aguilar Sr. and Joan Valdez. Pueblo was not only his birthplace, but the foundation of the values he carried throughout his life — hard work, resilience, compassion, and devotion to others.

He was the beloved husband of Trudy Denise Aguilar, his partner in life and love. He was also a devoted father to Jordan Aguilar, now known as Josephine Morey, Nathaniel Morrow, Natalie Morrow, and Alexis Elrick. Jose was deeply proud of his eight grandchildren and cherished the many nieces and nephews who brought joy into his life.

He is survived by his only sibling, Mark Aguilar, and sister-in-law Amy Aguilar, along with many extended family members and lifelong friends.

Jose was preceded in death by his grandparents Mary and Joe Valdez; his Aunt Geraldine Martinez; Uncle Chris Valdez; granddaughter Aaliyah Sanchez; and his uncles Desiderio Medina and Aguedu Medina.

Jose dedicated his life to caring for others. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and served faithfully as a Registered Nurse in home healthcare and mental healthcare. His patients loved him because they knew he truly cared. During the COVID pandemic, while many were afraid, Jose stepped forward as a first responder and caregiver without hesitation. He would often work days without taking time off, saying:

"This is not work. This is doing God’s work."

Those who worked beside him knew his work ethic was unmatched. He gave everything he had to help others heal.

Beyond nursing, Jose was also an entrepreneur and founder of Pueblo West Home Healthcare, a home builder, and a land developer — building not only businesses and homes, but opportunities and stability for others.

As a young man, Jose served as an altar boy at Saint Francis and carried his faith quietly throughout his life. He attended South High School in Pueblo, where his many talents quickly became known. He participated in wrestling, basketball, swimming, and karate, eventually earning a black belt. He was artistic and gifted in calligraphy, designing high school banners and contributing beautiful lettering for the school newspaper.

Jose was brilliant in ways that amazed everyone around him. He could memorize phone numbers after seeing them only once and rarely needed a calculator. His intelligence was extraordinary, yet he remained humble and grounded.

He also loved the outdoors and found peace in nature. Gardening and planting trees became one of his greatest joys. He planted hundreds of trees throughout his life, creating what family lovingly called “his own forest in the desert.” He even earned recognition for starting a gardening group at CMHIP.

He loved fishing, especially the memories made with his Aunt Amy, who spent many summers taking Benjamin and Mark to San Isabel, Colorado for fishing trips and swim meets. Those moments became treasured memories that shaped his youth.

Jose also had a deep love for animals, especially dogs. He bred champion bloodline malamutes, and one of his beloved dogs was named Tesla after one of his favorite bands. Though he loved all his dogs — including Lucky — Santa was always his favorite companion.

Before raising his family, Jose even kept fish tanks filled with pet piranhas — another reflection of his adventurous spirit and fascination with nature and animals.

Music was another part of Jose’s soul. He loved rock and roll and had a unique sense of humor. Whenever someone talked too much, he would simply play George Thorogood’s “You Talk Too Much” instead of saying anything himself.

Every single day before going to work, he played Peter Frampton’s “It Don’t Come Easy,” a song that became part of the rhythm of his life and reflected his hardworking spirit and determination.

Jose also had a playful spirit and loved sharing music that made people smile. One favorite that always brought laughter to family and friends was “Kung Fu Fighting,” a perfect reflection of his love for karate, his black belt discipline, and his fun-loving personality.

One favorite memory shared by Josephine was taking drives with her father in the red Corvette, singing along to Prince and “Love Potion No. 9.” Those moments of music, laughter, and freedom will forever live in her heart.

Jose’s favorite colors were Bronco blue and sunset orange — colors that reminded him of Colorado skies and western sunsets. They reflected who he was: steady, warm, bold, and unforgettable.

There are people who speak often, and there are people whose lives become the message. Jose Benjamin Aguilar Jr. was one of those people.

He healed the sick. 
He planted trees whose shade he may never sit under. 
He loved deeply without needing many words. 
He served faithfully. 
He protected and provided for those he loved.

Even in his youth, Jose once saved a man pinned beneath a car — a moment that symbolized the kind of man he would become for the rest of his life: someone who stepped in when others needed help.

And among all of Jose’s many accomplishments — being a nurse, entrepreneur, artist, athlete, protector, healer, home builder, and land developer — perhaps his greatest and most cherished title of all was the one spoken with the most love:

“Papa.”

Nothing brought him greater pride or joy than being a grandfather. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and the love he gave them will continue for generations to come.

Though Jose Benjamin Aguilar Jr. accomplished many extraordinary things in his lifetime, it is the love he poured into his family that will remain his greatest legacy.

Though our hearts are heavy, we remember Jose not only in sorrow, but with gratitude.

And every Colorado sunset painted orange and blue will remind us that somewhere beyond the horizon, Benji is finally at peace.

Forever loved. 
Forever remembered. 
Forever missed.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jose Benjamin Aguilar Jr., please visit our floral store.