Benjamin Weylin Montoya

Ben was born on February 13, 1975 in Denver, CO.  Ben moved to Colorado Springs in 1983. He was very active In Golden Gloves boxing where he was light weight champion at Ft. Carson, CO.  After attending Palmer High School, he entered the EMS field at the age of 18 after obtaining his EMT-B.  He also became a member of the Black Forest Fire Department, the ambulance service and was also a volunteer member of the Ellicott Fire Department.  He was also a member and past president of Explorer Post 47 Search & Rescue. Ben then moved to Denver, CO and was an employee of American Medical Response Services.

Ben moved to Liberal, KS in 1998 where he worked for the fire department.  In 2001 he moved to Beaver, OK to work for the Police Department.  Over the next several years, he became a D.A.R.E. officer, a volunteer firefighter, and a member of the United States Air Force Reserve.  He was also Chief of Police for Beaver.  Ben then was deployed to Qatar, Afghanistan.   He was also Chief of Police for Forgan, OK.   He retired as Chief of Police, but remained a Reserve Deputy for the Sheriff’s Department. 

Ben received his degree in Criminal Justice from OSU in 2003 and later earned a Master’s degree in Safety Administration from the National Association of Safety Professionals.

After his deployment, he worked for Howard Drilling taking care of Safety & Compliance.  He then went to work for Bennett Construction as a Safety Coordinator.  He began his business, Tri-State Safety Services, LLC in 2011.  Once his business grew, he left Bennett Construction in 2018 to run Tri-State full time.   

Ben is preceded in death by his mom, Carol Ann Collins, his grandparents, John & Dody Schrader and a special Aunt, Helen Ramos. 

Ben is survived by his wife, Kelli; sister Kacy Heath of Owensville, IN, sister Tori (Mike) Conway of Parker, CO.; his father, Michael Collins of Colorado Springs, CO. and  his puppy girls, Moria & Zoe; a step daughter, Amanda Falvey of Georgetown, SC and a step daughter, Cheyenne Edwards of Beaver, OK.   He also has three step sisters, Michelle, Shawna & Chenelle, all of Colorado and  several nieces & nephews and many loving friends. 

Ben became ill on 12/12/20 and was diagnosed with Covid Pneumonia on 12/15/20.  He was flown from the local hospital in Beaver to Dodge City, KS hospital on 12/20/20.  He was then flown from the hospital in Dodge City, KS to St. Luke’s on the Plaza in Kansas City, MO on 12/24/20 where he continued to fight the battle until he passed away on January 16, 2021. 

Ben was a special person who never met a stranger.  He had the gift of gab and a massive thirst for knowledge.   He was highly admired and respected by all who knew him.  He had a passion for serving people and living life to its fullest.  He met the love of his life in 2015 and they had the most wonderful 6 years together, everyone should be so blessed, not everyone gets to experience the kind of love they shared.   It just wasn’t enough time. 

His love of people and his smile were his trademark. He was so passionate about what he did, he loved everything about teaching people to be safe and tried to make it fun and something people would remember.  There will never be another Ben Montoya.  The world was a better place because of him.  Remember, “Lead Safely….Others Will Follow”.

Ben had a strong faith, and he made it known that he felt so blessed with his life and wouldn’t have changed a thing.  He had a passion for travel, concerts and loved to ride his Harley when he could.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to one of the following:

Woof Pet Rescue in Woodward, OK (PO Box 1389, Woodward, OK 73802)

Any Beaver County Fire Department of your choice

St Jude’s (262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105)