Ernesto Benavides Jr., 87, of Allen, Texas, passed away on May 10, 2017 in Plano, Texas. He was born on November 16, 1929 in Realitos, Texas to Ernesto Benavides Sr. and Cristina Laurel. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. He and Irma Doris Saenz were married on August 30, 1953 in Benavides, Texas and they have been married for 63 years. He worked as a dispatcher for the Texas Mexican Railroad for many years, retiring in 1980. He was very good with numbers and able to do math and calculations in his head. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and uncle and loved his family dearly; he was always there for them. He was loving and generous and especially enjoyed giving to charities. He has many friends who he has stayed in touch with for many years. He will be missed by all who shared in his life.
He is survived by his wife, Irma Doris Benavides of Allen, TX; son, Robert M. Benavides and wife Betty of Allen, TX; daughter, Irma Benavides Gonzalez and husband David of Richardson, TX; sister, Belia Cantu and husband Toribio Cantu Jr. of Realitos, TX; grandchildren, Elizabeth Benavides, Christopher Benavides, Melissa Gonzalez and Nathan Gonzalez and nieces, Annie Chada and husband Rene, Rosie Munoz and husband Marcelino, Tina Avila, Bertha Martinez and husband Selso and Mary Lee Pena and husband Jaime; and several other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Arnoldo Benavides.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville Ave., Allen, Texas 75002, with burial following at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Sunday evening, May 14, 2017, from 7-9 p.m. and a Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expy North, Allen, Texas 75013.