Alfonso Benavidez, Sr.
Alfonso Benavidez, Sr.
of O’Donnell, TX
June 26, 1942 - October 14, 2019
Alfonso Benavidez Sr. was born on June 23, 1942 to Carlos and Adela Benavidez in Laredo Texas. Alfonso was the 4th of 6 children born to Carlos and Adela. He attended school in Laredo then started working for his father and the Callahan Ranch in Webb County.
Alfonso met the love of his life when he was 17 years old. He had taken a weekend trip from the ranch to Laredo to do some shopping when he met Maria Mercedes Gonzalez. Maria was a sales clerk at the downtown Woolworths in Laredo. The young couple hit it off almost instantly and were married on April 23, 1961.
The years to come saw moves to better jobs across the country and back again, all in pursuit of giving his family the best life possible. All the while the young family grew to include Marie, Alfonso (Junior), Twins Philip and Simona and Peter. The moves included trips to Borden County then back to Laredo then to Lansing, Michigan and back to Laredo.
The final move was made to Borden County in the early ‘70’s where the oldest four of the children were enrolled at Borden County ISD. Later, in ‘78, the final of the Benavidez children was born and enrolled in BCISD in 1985. All five children are graduates of Borden County ISD.
Alfonso always stressed the importance of a good education and extra-curricular activities as all of his children participated in sports, academic UIL and FFA. Alfonso was an avid stock show dad and loved to work with animals. He was always involved in his children’s school lives and volunteered to help whenever possible.
He continued this behavior with his grandchildren. Maria and Alfonso could always be found following their grandchildren from football games to play or to cheer, to basketball games and to track meets. He would watch his grandchildren show animals and even take charge in the buying and selling of their animals. He would follow the Borden County Coyotes, O’Donnell Eagles, and the Lamesa Golden Tors. He was a fan of wherever his grandchildren were.
Along the way some of the close friends of his grandchildren also became honorary grandchildren and even started calling Alfonso “Grandpa” and Maria “Grandma” even though there was no blood relation but you could not convince Alfonso and Maria of that. To them, they were blood relatives. They were loved by so many and will continue to do so.
Alfonso is preceded in death by his parents Carlos Benavidez and Adela Benavidez. He is also preceded by his sisters Francesca Morado, Maria Benavidez, and Rosa Tanguma. Lastly, Alfonso is preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Maria G. Benavidez.
Alfonso Benavidez is survived by his oldest daughter Marie Benavidez Bernal and her husband Joe Bernal of Lamesa; his oldest son Alfonso Benavidez Jr. of Borden County; Simona Benavidez Ramirez of Borden County; Philip Benavidez and wife Holly; and Peter Benavidez and wife Kerri.
Alfonso is also survived by grandchildren Soledad Trevino, Nina Ramirez, Josh Ramirez, Justin Ramirez, Baylee Benavidez, Krystasha Benavidez, Tiffany Ramirez, Tristen Benavidez, Diego Bernal, Jaden Benavidez, Maddie Benavidez and Keigan Benavidez. Great grandchildren include Devon Pierce, Tatum Pierce, Teagan Trevino, Cierra Trevino, Hunter West, Rylee Trevino, Kooper Hiracheta, Kennedy Thomas, Aidden Benavidez, Dayton Angel, and Dresun Angel.
Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Combest Family Funeral Homes, Tahoka with rosary at 6:30 p.m.
Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 17, 2019 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, O’Donnell with interment to follow at the Gail Cemetery
– Press-Reporter obituary services