David E. Benoist

David Ellington Benoist was born September 7, 1936, to Johnnie and Beatrice Benoist in Lampasas, Texas. The good Lord welcomed David to heaven on February 5, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, both siblings, Dorthey "Dotty" Parobek, and Bobby "Butch" Benoist. David never imagined he would live past 30, never mind to the ripe age of 77. With that perspective, David found the positives living as a senior citizen. He was often heard saying, “The good thing about being an old man is that all the pretty young ladies want to give you a hug.” The beloved patriarch of the Benoist family, David lived with infinite gratitude each day simply because he spent it with his family. There are at least six people in this world that would agree that he best fulfilled his role of ‘Pap-pa’.

David lived the past 30 years within walking distance of most of the family that survives him: daughter Doniece Gray; son Donald Benoist (Melissa); and son Mitz Benoist (Joyce); as well as grandchildren Cresta Smith (Adam), Tara Clifton (Tyler), Amanda Benoist, Andrew Benoist, Morgan Benoist, and Connor Benoist. Additionally, David is survived by many nieces and nephews and his favorite sister-in-law, Carol “from New York” Benoist. He called her weekly to share humorous stories and joke about sending weather north or south, depending on the season. David enjoyed and appreciated his ‘Yankee’ sister and only wished New York and Texas were closer together.

David was a determined, headstrong man; he did most things exactly like he wanted to, unless his wife Montine hassled him enough to change his mind. When asked about the engagement ring he purchased for his wife, he grinned and said, “I knew what I wanted her to have, so I went to the PX and bought it for her. I asked her to marry me over the phone.” When David came back to Texas for leave from the Marines, the two 19-year-old high-school sweethearts tracked down a pastor to marry them on New Year’s Eve 1955. On Monday, January 20, 2014, he declared that marrying Sandra Montine was the best decision he ever made and he was so grateful that she stuck with him. A life marked with a lot of love and bickering, he would not have changed their relationship in any way.

Throughout their 58 year marriage, David could be found startling his wife as often as possible then laughing until he ran out of breath. He would then tell as many people as possible how he tricked her and he would belly laugh all over again. If he wasn’t startling his wife, watching drag racing, Pro Bull Riding, or the Cowboys, he was probably talking to someone about his grandkids. He always had a booklet of 4x6 pictures to show off; wallets were not big enough for his pride. When he was about 75, David graduated to using a smart phone to show off his stories. He always wanted to learn something new, even technology.

I heard him say several times how proud he was of all his children and grandchildren. He was proud of the skills all his children use at their occupations and of the dedication his children displayed to their families. Although he was the successful business owner of ‘David’s Killeen Welding’, a skilled bricklayer, and a dedicated truck driver (among other professions), David considered his children’s success and happiness his greatest accomplishment.

For almost two decades he had suffered from arthritis, or as David called it, ‘his “Arthur”’, he remained positive even on days that it hurt him to walk, he did not complain. Instead, if anyone asked David how he was, they probably heard, “Well, I’m just finer than frog hair. A frog doesn’t have hair, does it?” And he’d laugh until his gut jiggled and his sparkly blue eyes squinted. Another of his quips displayed his confidence, “If I tell you tomorrow is Christmas, you’d better hang your stockings tonight.” We will always remember David in these ways and imagine him waving goodbye, “See ya, pa’tner.”

To make a donation to the Veteran’s Hospital in memory of David Benoist, make checks payable to CTVHCS, and mail to Olin E Teague Hospital, CTVHCS, 1901 Veteran's Memorial Drive, Temple, Tx 76504. Write note in memo: In memory of David Benoist.