J Gilbert Benedict

J Gilbert Benedict, 84, of Golden, Colorado, passed away, Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Collier Hospice in Lakewood, Colorado.

J was born August 16, 1932 in Jefferson, Iowa to Paul and Madeline (Coler) Benedict. J attended Jefferson High School where he was class valedictorian, played Varsity Football and was an accomplished flutist. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska, in 1954. Following college, J married his high school sweetheart, Carol Ann Wright and they moved to Southern California where J served as a United States Naval Officer from 1954 to 1957. Following his honorable discharge, he received his Ph.D. from UCLA.

J, Carol and their daughter Becky moved to Colorado in 1961. They lived for a short time in Littleton, where their second daughter, Jenny was born, and then built their home on Lookout Mountain in 1963.  Lookout Mountain and the surrounding community has been a part of J and Carol’s life ever since.  He loved skiing, tennis and golf, and when he wasn’t doing something outside, he could be found in the basement doing wood working, or outside in the garage tinkering on a car. J enjoyed gardening in the summer and took breaks by going to Mount Vernon Country Club for a swim, enjoying his neighbors and friends in the backyard, or playing long tournaments of cribbage and backgammon with his son in-law, Patrick. Every year, the family would find their way down to Fort Myers Beach, Florida for several weeks of vacation at Christmas time.

J loved being a psychologist, and practiced his entire adult life. He began his practice as a child psychologist on staff at Fort Logan Mental Health Center, where he helped open the Children’s Division.  He then developed his private practice working with families and children.  As his practice grew, he provided psychological services for North Metro Community Services and Platte River Industries, working with the developmentally disabled population. He was the consulting psychologist for Forest Heights Lodge, a treatment center for emotionally disturbed boys, for 45 years. He was also an expert witness for families struggling through custody disputes. J was also involved as a psychologist at the state level, where he was a member, and held several offices for the Colorado Psychology Association, including President. J was a member and on several committees and editor for the American Psychological Association, and he was awarded the National Academy of Sciences Medal of Achievement.

J is survived by his wife, Carol Wright Benedict and their two daughters, Becky Ann Benedict and Jennifer Benedict-Johnson; his grandchildren: Jaryd P. Benedict, Ethan B. Johnson and Morgan B. Benedict; his sister, Diann Windle, of Quincy, Calif.; his niece and his nephew, Kylie Althouse Schroeder and Matt Althouse; his great niece and great nephews: Ben Althouse, Bridget Althouse Webster, David Althouse, Jacob Althouse and Dominic Sonsini. J was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Irving Benedict and Madeline Coler Benedict.

J was an active member of Rockland Community Church since moving to the mountains, and treasured his time with the choir. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Rockland Community Church, 17 S. Mt. Vernon Country Club Road, Golden, CO 80401, with retired Pastor Ken Williams conducting the service. Memorials may be made to Forest Heights Lodge, PO Box 789, Evergreen, CO 80439.