In Loving Memory of Benny Ray Eldridge March 13, 1943 – October 30, 2026

Benny Ray Eldridge was born on March 13, 1943, in Dustin, Oklahoma, and passed away on October 30, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California. He leaves behind a family, a church, and a community who loved him dearly and whose lives will forever be touched by his presence.

Benny lived a life filled with faith, family, adventure, service, laughter, music, and an unwavering love for his hometown of Trona. He never met a stranger, never lacked a story to tell, and never missed an opportunity to help someone in need. His personality was larger than life, his heart was generous, and his love for people was evident everywhere he went.

Benny grew up in Oklahoma, the son of Raymond Lee and Lillian Opal Eldridge, who preceded him in death. Some of his fondest childhood memories were made traveling with his family and cousins during the summer months. Each year, the family would travel to California to pick fruit, beginning in Keene and working their way throughout the Central Valley and eventually into Oregon to pick strawberries. After Labor Day, they would return to Oklahoma in time for school. Those summers created wonderful memories and lifelong bonds with his cousins.

When Benny was 12 years old, his parents made the decision to move their family to Trona, California, in search of work. Little did they know that this small desert town would become the place Benny would call home for the rest of his life.

When the family arrived in Trona, there was no Baptist church. Five families came together, rolled up their sleeves, and built the First Baptist Church of Trona. Benny was incredibly proud of that history and held a very special place in his heart for the church. He was the last surviving founding member of those five families.

His faith was not simply something he practiced on Sundays; it was the foundation of how he lived his life. Benny was a lifelong Christian who loved Jesus, enjoyed singing, and never hesitated to share his faith with others. He had a wonderful relationship with Pastor Larry Cox, his wife Staci, and their children, whom he dearly appreciated. Throughout his life, he spoke with many people about accepting Jesus, making good choices, and doing what was right.

While attending school in Trona, Benny met Anna Sue Johnson, the love of his life. Their relationship began as young sweethearts and grew into a marriage that lasted 63 wonderful years. They were married on February 16, 1963, and together built a beautiful family and a lifetime of memories.

Benny and Anna Sue were quite the pair! They loved music, dancing, and being together. They frequently chaperoned school dances, and students always looked forward to watching the two of them jitterbug across the dance floor. Their love of dancing and their willingness to join in the fun made them beloved figures among generations of Trona students.

Their commitment to Trona was recognized when they were selected to serve as Grand Marshals of one of the Trona Homecoming Parades, an honor they shared with tremendous pride.

Benny loved sports and was an outstanding athlete during his years at Trona High School. Football was one of his greatest passions, and he was known as one of the fastest running backs in the league. He deeply admired his coaches, Onace and Doyle Long, who played an important role in his athletic years.

Track and field was another area where Benny excelled. He was exceptionally fast and continued to hold Trona High School records in the 220-yard and 440-yard events. His brother Bob even made bets at the horse corral, confident that Benny could outrun anyone willing to challenge him!

Benny worked at the plant in Pyro until an unfortunate accident resulted in his early retirement. Never one to sit still for long, he went on to become a Special Deputy Sheriff, where he enjoyed many adventures and friendships. One of his most memorable adventures was with his good friend Steve Radford. The two traveled to Amsterdam on an extraordinary mission to track down a World War II Nazi and bring him back to the United States. Benny certainly had stories to tell, and his adventures were anything but ordinary!

He loved meeting people and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Throughout his travels across the United States, he made friends everywhere he went. No matter where he was, he always found a way to talk about Trona and tell people how wonderful his hometown was. People from all over knew that Benny Eldridge was from Trona, and he made sure they knew just how special that little desert community was to him.

Benny was deeply devoted to his Masonic organizations and took great pride in the friendships, traditions, and service they represented. He had been a member of the Masons since 1972 and achieved the distinction of 32nd Degree Master Mason. Throughout the years, he served in several offices, but his favorite position was Marshal.

He was also a proud member of the Al Malaikah Shrine, an organization whose charitable mission was especially close to his heart. Benny devoted countless hours to raising money for Shriners Hospitals for Children, helping children with burns, orthopedic conditions, and other medical needs. He took tremendous pride in knowing that his efforts helped children and families receive care and support.

His Masonic service extended beyond the Blue Lodge and Shrine. He was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving several times as Worthy Patron in both Trona, Independence and Ridgecrest. He also belonged to the White Shrine of Jerusalem, where he held the office of Watchman of the Shepherds several times and served in Supreme offices.

These organizations were not simply memberships to Benny. They were opportunities to serve others, build lasting friendships, and make a difference in people’s lives.

Benny’s love for Trona extended far beyond his own family. He believed in supporting the school and its students and was always willing to volunteer whenever help was needed.

He ran the time clock at basketball games, timed track meets, and helped students learn how to lift weights. He even organized arm-wrestling competitions for junior high students. He enjoyed being around young people and took great pride in encouraging them to become responsible, respectful adults.

Many young men in Trona looked up to Benny as a role model. He believed strongly in teaching good character and personal responsibility. His advice was straightforward and memorable: Don’t cuss, don’t drink, always respect women, be just and upright, and always tell the truth.

Benny had strong morals and values and was never afraid to speak his mind. He believed in doing what was right, treating people fairly, and standing by your word. He led by example, and his influence reached far beyond the classroom, athletic fields, and school gymnasium.

Anyone who knew Benny knew he had his own unmistakable style. He was famous for his beautiful suits, stylish cowboy boots, and perfectly slicked-back hair that carried a little Elvis Presley flair. He took pride in looking sharp and always made an impression.

Music was a constant part of his life. Western and 50’s music was almost always playing, and Elvis Presley was one of his favorites. He loved to sing, dance, laugh, and tell stories.

One of Benny’s favorite daily traditions was meeting his buddies at the coffee shop for their early morning coffee. Onace Long, Roger Whidden, Bill White, David Scott and Dennis Comer were among the friends who shared those special mornings with him. They enjoyed their coffee and, of course, solving the world’s problems! Politics, current events, and just about everything happening around the world were always up for discussion. Those mornings were about much more than coffee; they were about friendship, companionship, and the simple pleasure of spending time together.

Benny could recall wonderful stories about just about everyone in town, and he had a remarkable way of making people feel welcome. His conversations could last for hours, and there was never a shortage of stories, laughter, or opinions!

He had kind words for everyone and was always willing to lend a hand. He believed in helping those who needed it, sharing what he had, and making time for people.

Benny was always a strong, active man who took pride in staying in shape. Even after the devastating 2019 earthquake damaged his home, he demonstrated the determination and resilience that had always defined him.

In 2020, Benny suffered a heart attack. True to his nature, he fought back, recovered, and remained strong. He continued attending church, enjoying his friendships, and living his life as the man everyone knew and loved. His faith remained steadfast, and he continued to be a wonderful Christian example to his family and community.

It was only during the last three years of his life that his health began to decline. Through it all, his faith and the love of his family remained central to his life.

Above all else, Benny loved his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Anna Sue Eldridge, who shared his life, adventures, faith, and countless memories.

He is survived by his children: Lauretta Eldridge and her husband, Keith Ochs; Justin Eldridge and his wife, Leslie; and Chimene Eldridge.

His grandchildren include Victoria Flame and her husband, Tony, and their children, Katie and Cal; Westley Heidelberger and his wife, Braelynn, and their children, Benny, Holly, and Torrey; Emmet Sarver and Kendra Adams and children Violet Ham and Forrest; Evan Sarver and his wife, Saige, and their children, Azaeilah and Lincoln; and Julia Krogstie and her husband, Bobby, and their son, Cooper.

His siblings who have passed: his sister Naomi and brother-in-law Bruce McKinney; brother Bob and sister-in-law Verna Eldridge; brother Don and sister-in-law Peggy Eldridge; brother Tony and surviving sister-in-law Rubye Eldridge; brother Wendell and sister-in-law Jo Eldridge; and surviving sister-in-law Bessie and deceased brother-in-law Dewey Wiles. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Benny’s life was a testament to faith, perseverance, service, and love. He experienced tremendous changes throughout his lifetime, including the growth and decline of his beloved hometown, the challenges of life’s unexpected hardships, and the joy of watching generations of his family grow.

Benny leaves behind more than memories. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, friendship, service, and the importance of doing what is right. He leaves behind generations of young people who learned from his example, families who benefited from his kindness, and a community that will forever remember his unmistakable personality.

Trona was not just where Benny lived. It was his home, his identity, and a community he loved and proudly represented wherever he went. His stories will continue to be told, his music and singing will continue to be remembered, and his influence will live on through the many lives he touched.

He loved his Lord, his family, his Anna Sue, his church, his Masonic brothers and sisters, and his hometown of Trona.

Benny Ray Eldridge was one of a kind. He lived life with purpose, loved with his whole heart, served others faithfully, and never met a stranger.

Heaven has welcomed another faithful servant home. May he rest in eternal peace, and may his family find comfort in knowing that his love, his faith, and his legacy will live on for generations.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23