Benny Joe Benge, 87, peacefully passed away at home on January 4, 2026, surrounded by family. Benny was born on February 28, 1938, in Levelland, Texas, to Cecil and Ima Cleo Benge. He spent his early years on the family farm in Clauene, Texas, alongside four siblings - George, Melton, Ima Jean, and Linda. Benny was in the third grade when they moved to Lovington, New Mexico.

Benny always had a deep love for adventure and the outdoors. He was active in 4-H and FFA and enjoyed showing pigs at the county and state fairs. After graduating from Lovington High School, he attended New Mexico State University, but it didn't take long for him to realize he belonged outside, working with his hands. So, he traded his textbooks for a job with El Paso Natural Gas in Ojito, NM, near the Four Corners area. After four years, he returned home to Lovington and co-owned a caged-hen operation known as Lea County Cackleberries, supplying fresh eggs to grocery stores throughout Lovington, Tatum, and Hobbs.

In 1975, Benny embarked on a new adventure and founded Benge Construction. What began with residential homes soon transitioned into commercial construction, including maintenance and construction for Transwestern Pipeline, building compressor stations for multiple oil and gas companies, environmental cleanup projects, and the construction of several dairies.

When Benny wasn't working, you could almost always find him outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing. Multiple sets of deer and elk antlers were displayed in his shop. With close friends, he leased a home on a lake in Mexico, where countless hours were spent fishing, laughing, and telling stories. He looked forward every year to family fishing trips to Colorado for trout and never missed springtime crappie fishing at Lake Proctor in Texas. Those were some of his happiest moments.

If there was one thing everyone knew about Benny, it was this: he loved God and his family fiercely. He never met a stranger and never turned away someone in need. If you needed help, advice, a laugh, or a strong back, Benny was already on his way. His kindness was constant, and his generosity left a mark on more people than he ever realized.

Benny is survived by his wife: Barbara, of 41 years. He was a devoted father to Lesli Benge Laughter (Steve) and John Raburn Benge (Stacie), and a proud stepfather to Brenda Weber Perry (Steve), Renee Weber Kemp (Mike), LeAnn Weber Brooks (Marty), and Steven Craig Weber (Stacey). His heart was especially full when it came to his grandchildren—Ross, Clay, Cody, Scott, Rylan, Jake, Doug, Ashley, Luke, Sara, Kayla, Matt, and Whitney. Benny delighted in each of his 17 great-grandchildren, whom he adored beyond measure and proudly claimed they all looked just like him!

Preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Benny will be deeply missed. Those who knew him take comfort in knowing that Heaven gained a faithful servant and a fisherman who finally found the perfect lake.

Visitation will be Friday, January 9, 2026, at 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home at 1106 Main St., Lovington, New Mexico.

Services will be Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 2:30 pm at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 220 W. Ave I, Lovington, New Mexico, with Chad Wease officiating. Burial will follow at Lovington Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.