Benjamin MacArthur Gaines, Jr.

Ben was born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 2, 1968 to Benjamin MacArthur Gaines, Sr. and Beverly Small Gaines. After living in Akron, Ohio for most of his childhood, he, along with his brother, moved to Iuka, MS and to the place he would always call “home” no matter where he hung his hat.

He graduated from Iuka High School in 1987 and then attended Northeast Community College in Booneville, MS. He then received his Associate of Science in Culinary Arts from Sullivan University in Louisville, KY. Ben then went on to work for a number of restaurants after becoming a chef, which include the Seelbach Hotel, Azalea Restaurant, Masterson’s, all in Louisville, KY, Caesar’s Indiana, Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club in Killen, AL, the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN and finally at The Skybox Grill in Collierville, TN

He decided to leave the culinary world behind him in 2017 and went to work as a forklift operator for Tempur Sealy in Belmont, MS, where he worked until his untimely passing on June 10.

Ben was a very unique soul to say the least, and to anyone whoever met him, someone that they would never forget. He was very firm in his beliefs on current affairs, politics, psychology, history, mythology, and conspiracy theories, always welcoming a casual debate or conversation about those topics. You always knew where Ben stood. He was a movie buff, collector, gamer, avid reader, and prepper. Something he had devoted most of his adult life to. If ever the world would fall into great peril, he had his family in mind and he would be able to provide and protect.

He loved music, especially progressive rock, and he was always happy to introduce people to some of his favorite bands. Anyone who knew Ben also knew that he was fascinated with the Japanese culture and the history of the Vikings. Even with his Scottish-Welsh ancestry, Ben always believed that he was part Viking.

Ben is survived by his brother, Adam Gaines of Collierville, TN, his bonus mom, Rhonda Moore Gaines (GiGi) of Moore’s Mill, MS, his bonus sister, Kimberly Potts Gramling (husband, Terry Gramling) of Corinth, MS and his nephews Grey Gaines, Eli Gramling, Jack Lester, Will Gramling, and Kale Gramling.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin MacArthur Gaines, Sr. and Beverly Small Gaines.

Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 12:00 P.M. until 1:30 P.M., at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 1:30 P.M., at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Bro. Dallas Culver. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers include Tony Gaines, Grey Gaines, Eli Gramling, Jack Lester, Eric Moore, and Michael Fennel.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in memory of Ben.