Benjamin Charles Tenhundfeld "Ben"

Benjamin Charles Tenhundfeld "Ben" passed from this life into Heaven peacefully in his home in Loxley, Alabama, close to midnight on August 27, 2026, with his beloved wife, Karen, at his side. He was 53 years old.

Ben was born on November 1, 1972, in Mobile, Alabama. He was a truly larger-than-life man whose presence could never be easily forgotten. He was intelligent, charismatic, mysterious, endlessly creative, and possessed a remarkable sense of humor. Ben had a way of making people laugh, telling a story, or seeing something from a perspective that others simply hadn't considered. He was a hard worker who took pride in what he did and gave his best to the people and things that mattered to him.

Ben had a light within him that was impossible to miss. He could light up every room he entered with his presence, his warmth, and his beautiful smile. His smile was one of the many things people will remember about him, and his ability to bring light into the lives of others was a gift he carried wherever he went.

Ben loved life. He loved Alabama football-"Rolllll Tide!"-good food, movies, music, traveling, nature, and animals. He loved chess and the challenge of a good game. He loved his church and the people and faith that were important to him. He was a musician, a talented writer, and a gifted storyteller, expressing himself through music, words, stories, and the countless experiences he gathered throughout his life.

Of all the things Ben accomplished in his life, he was especially proud of the bands he played in and the music he shared with others. He loved every band he performed with and every musical experience he was fortunate enough to be a part of, carrying memories and friendships from each one throughout his life. Among them all, Slow Moses, the band he played with during the 1990s, remained a standout memory and experience that held a particularly special place in his heart.

Ben played bass and remained an incredibly talented musician throughout his life. His signature style was thumping and tapping, and he loved experimenting with effects and finding new ways to make his instrument speak. He even played his five-string bass with a violin bow across the strings. Music was not simply something Ben enjoyed-it was a part of who he was.

Ben was also a beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, husband, and inspiration to those who knew him. He had a way of leaving an impression on people and reminding them to see the humor, beauty, and possibility in life.

But perhaps what defined Ben most was his strength. He was a fighter in every sense of the word. Even through the hardest days imaginable, he continued to fight with an extraordinary determination and an endless will to live. He faced life with courage, humor, and an ability to find something positive even when things were difficult. To those who knew him, he seemed almost impossibly strong-the strongest man alive.

Ben absolutely loved Jesus Christ. His faith became an even greater part of his life during his battle with cancer. He loved to speak about Jesus to others and wanted people to know the love, hope, and comfort he found in Him.

Ben was an example of Christ through his sweet nature, his willingness to forgive, and his unwavering positivity. He found joy even in pain and held onto faith even in what seemed like impossible circumstances. His faith was not simply something he spoke about-it was something he lived.

During his battle with cancer, Ben was inspired to create Christian jewelry. He wanted everyone to feel comfortable wearing a cross around their neck, regardless of who they were or where they came from. He created unique pieces to represent the individual people he loved, putting thought, meaning, and love into each one. What he created became another way for him to share his faith and remind others of Jesus.

Ben planned to one day sell Christian jewelry alongside his wife, Karen, and give 10% of the sales to his church, as a way of continuing to share his faith and give back to the place that meant so much to him.

Ben also created a YouTube channel called Forever Walking by Faith, where he shared songs he wrote during his illness. Through his music, Ben continued to tell stories, share his heart, and express the faith and love that carried him through his journey. His music became a lasting piece of himself that he could leave with the people he loved.

Ben also created children's coloring books that went along with the imaginative world he shared through his creative work. His books, "Sea Creatures School" and "Water Puppies Adventures," are available through Amazon and remain another part of the creativity and joy he wanted to share with others.

Ben married Karen Renee' Tenhundfeld on April 5, 2004, and they shared 22 years of marriage together. Their love story was perfectly fitting for the two of them. They had originally planned to marry on 04-04-04, because they thought the date was unique and special. But they were so deeply in love and so excited to begin their life together that they forgot to get their marriage license. So, they married the very next day, on April 5, 2004. What could have been an ordinary change of plans became another one of the stories that made their love uniquely theirs.

Ben was many things to many people: musician, writer, storyteller, husband, friend, believer, dreamer, and fighter. But above all else, he was a man who loved deeply.

And he loved his wife most of all.

Their love was at the center of his world. Through everything life brought them, she remained his greatest love, his partner, and the person closest to his heart. Their life together was filled with memories, laughter, challenges, adventures, music, and a love that will continue far beyond his passing.

Ben leaves behind many loved ones who meant more to him than words could ever express. He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Renee' Tenhundfeld; his mother, Patricia "Patti" Tenhundfeld; his brother, Al "Little Al" Tenhundfeld, sister-in-law Emily Tenhundfeld, and niece Mae Tenhundfeld; his sister, Sydney "Syd" Tenhundfeld; father-in-law Michael Edward "Mike" Sheffield and his wife, Anita "Nene" Sheffield; mother-in-law Janice Kim "Kim" Sheffield; sister-in-law Amanda "Mandy" Johnson; brother-in-law Shane "Twig" Johnson; nephews Jared Crimp and Kayden Crimp; nieces Lotus "Lotie" Johnson and Stacey Johnson; aunts Cathy Seward and Lynda Tenhundfeld; uncle Mark Tenhundfeld; cousins Jennifer, Megan, and Michael Seward, Danny and Nate Tenhundfeld, along with many other cousins, extended family members, dear friends, his beloved pet Hunny, his church community, neighbors, and countless others whose lives he touched.

For Ben, letting go of the people he loved was perhaps the hardest thing he ever had to face. He loved his family, friends, church community, neighbors, and all of those who surrounded him deeply. They were a treasured part of his life, and the thought of leaving them was one of the greatest sources of sadness in his final days. Yet even then, he wanted them to know that his love for them would never end.

Ben would want everyone who supported him and his family throughout his illness to know how deeply he appreciated them. Every prayer, every kind word, every message, and every act of love meant more to him than he could ever express. He carried that love with him and was grateful for every person who stood beside him.

He did not want anyone he loved to hold onto regrets. If Ben could leave one final message, it would simply be that he loved them-and that he knew how much they loved him, too.

Ben leaves behind a legacy not simply in the things he accomplished, but in the people he touched, the stories he told, the music he made, the laughter he shared, the faith he spoke about, the jewelry he created, the books he wrote, and the love he gave.

In lieu of flowers, Ben would ask that donations be made in his name to Loxley Church, located at 5220 N Hickory St, Loxley, AL 36551. Supporting his church would be especially meaningful to him and would continue the work and faith that were so important to his life.

Memorial Service

Ben's Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619.

Visitation: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM

Please dress to feel "yourself," as that is what Ben would have wanted. Come as you are, comfortable and authentically you-just as Ben would have wanted everyone to be.

He lived a life that was uniquely his-bold, complicated, creative, funny, mysterious, passionate, hardworking, forgiving, faithful, and full of fight.

He loved life.
He loved deeply.
He loved Jesus.
He brought light wherever he went.
And he will never be forgotten.