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John David Benner
May 11, 1947 ~ July 22, 2025 (age 78)
Obituary & Services
Tribute Wall
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John Benner Obituary
John David Benner, 78, of West Union, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at his residence. He was born May 11, 1947 in Cincinnati, son of the late David and Rhoda Lange Benner. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Kathy Fox Benner.
John was a Vietnam Army veteran who has dedicated his life to serving and protecting others. He was a retired police officer from Fairfax Police Department and also went on to serve as the Hamilton County SWAT Commander. His commitment to tactical excellence and public safety led him to found the Tactical Defense Institute, where he served as CEO. John's decades of experience and leadership reflect his unwavering dedication to his country and community.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his step-children, Mickel (Larry) Lobb of Huston, TX, Katie Anning, Julie (Michelle) Zicka and Patrick (Lisa) Zicka all of Cincinnati; 10 grandchildren, that affectionately called him Papa John, and a brother, Gary (Sharon) Benner of Cincinnati.
John will be cremated. Celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Thompson-Meeker Funeral Home in West Union.
Please sign his online tribute wall at www.meekerfuneralhomes.com
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of John David Benner, please visit our Tree Store. https://www.meekerfuneralhome.com/obituary/John-Benner
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Jill Gaible (Scheidt)
I remember John as a quiet person in school, but always friendly. My husband attended one of John's tactical training classes and he was very impressed. RIP, John.Robert Otto
John truly was a good guy. I ran into him a couple of times in years past.........usually relating to guns/shooting. I'm truly sorry to hear this...........but we're getting to that age! My best to his wife and family.
Denny Hopewell
Sorry to hear about John . He was truly one of the good guys . He was always the nicest and caring person there was. May he always be remembered.
Ray Spencer (Spencer)
RIP John. This is not a memory comment I was not expecting to read. John was always in great shape. Like many others, I remember John from Schroeder and Woodward. We hung out together often. Remember the pool games at the DAV and the faternity gatherings? The beer drinking in the circle at Drake Park? John and I hunted and fished in Canada or many adventuerous outings. We flew into remote lakes in Ontario for lake trout fishing and annually hunted deer and bear near Blind River, Ontario. On one hunt, we were side by side when in between us a black bear ran from her den followed by two more bears. The grand trip was a two hundred-twenty five mile canoe trip on the Albany River in Ontario. It was gruesome fighting headwinds every mile of the way. Photos with John and this expedition have always and still remain on my memory bulletin baard in my den. Along with John was Gary Kidwell in my wedding party when I was twenty-three. The minute I hit "send", I'll remember so many other special occassions I shared with John. In my early thirties, I moved to Seattle and left behind many friends. Regretfully I did not share the second half of John's life when living two thousand miles from Ohio. The last time I saw John was briefly at the fifthieth reunion. We shared simliar experieces about salmon fishing in Alaska. Finding partners with the wherewithitall for these adventures is difficult. John was every bit (and more) of that!
Michael Nebolsky
I remember John, all to well, from our Shroder years. His Friends called him " Bean", in those days.
He was always quiet and serious, but very friendly, at the same time.
Also, he was one tough Dude. Everyone knew that he was no one to mess with. Which followed him throughout his impressive Career.
The last time we " touched base", several years ago, he invited me to take a Complimentary Lesson at his TBIOHIO School, the next time I was in Cincy.. Unfortunately, I was never able to take him up on it. It would have been great seeing him and remembering old times, when we were both so young.
May he RIP.
I want to express my sincere sympathies and condolences to his Family Members and Friends.
Robert Stewart
I met John (Beanie) at Kennedy-Silverton Grade School and we became friends all through High School and beyond. About 7 years ago I asked John about getting my CCL or concealed carry license. He said he has a 3 day accredited self defense training course for CCL holders. I went to his TDI training and he told me to bring my weapon and 800 rounds of ammunition. I went through the 3 day 24 hour intensive training. The class I was in was full of police and SWAT officers. All the classmates told me John was a legend in the law enforcement circles throughout the country. They asked if I could share with them something that they could use. I told them his nickname Beanie and they started calling him Mr. Beanie. The respect was still there. John took it all in stride and laughed along with us. The last time I spoke to John was in June and he said I can't wait to see you at our 60th reunion. He never mentioned he had cancer. Then the reunion came and John didn't show and now I know why. I sent a text to find out what happened and then followed up with an email to TDI. I got an email back from the executor who said that John had passed and to stop my emails. I was totally shocked and still am. R.I.P. bud and thanks for being a good friend all these years.... Stewie