Sebastian "Ben" Lujan Benavidez Jr.

Ben Benavidez was born in Miami, AZ, on November 25, 1946. He graduated from Washington Union

High School and continued on to attend Fresno City College, where he also played baseball.

Ben Benavidez was married to Gloria Lopez Servin on August 5, 1967, and they were married for 49 years.

For more than 25 years, Ben Benavidez was a political visionary who ensured an equitable and quality education for immigrant, migrant, and socio-economically disadvantage children. Ben educated parents about their civil rights and their enormous political potential. Ben cultivated an entire generation of political activists by instructing them how to start a grass roots campaign, in order to ignite the fire of change by becoming an active participant in the political arena. Many of his protégés have served on school boards and local and state municipalities. Serving as the State and National President of the Mexican-American Political Association (MAPA) and a Board Member of the Greenlining Institute during the past 25 years, Ben has been provided with the opportunity to act as the voice for thousands of disenfranchised Americans within the vast arena of Corporate America. Through the Community Reinvestment Act, Ben compelled our nation's corporations to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in underserved rural and urban communities over the last 15 years. "Ben was a man of service, a man with a great heart, who was always concerned for others. His life is an inspirational story of altruism, and courage. Ben was never timid about speaking out to protect and defend all human beings in need of justice." - Dr. Alfredo Cuellar, California State University-Fresno

Ben was preceded in death by his grandmother, Eva Lujan; and his mother, Irene Primous.

Ben is survived by his wife Gloria; his children, Theresa, Lisa, Sebastian, Phillip, Aida, and Vanessa; his grandchildren, Sebastian and his wife Joanna, Joseph, Demetrius, Marley, Mateo, Maximo, Aaliyah, Jocelyn, Jaden, Evah, Sophiah, Delilah, and Daniah; and other family and friends.

The family of S. Ben Benavidez wishes to thank all of their friends and family for their offerings of food and donations, as well their prayers and condolences.

A Funeral Service will be held at Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church on Friday, April 15, 2016, at 11:00 a.m.

A Burial will follow the at Belmont Memorial Park at 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society , in the name of S. Ben Benavidez.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.