Douglas Wayne Benedict Jr.

Douglas Wayne Benedict Jr., age 64 of Wylie, Texas received his angel wings on Monday afternoon, December 16, 2019. Strong till the end, Doug Benedict passed on his own terms – at home, surrounded by family and friends, and holding his daughter’s hand tightly.

Born in El Paso, Texas into a military family, Doug traveled around the world living a life of adventure from the start. After graduating from Killeen High School in 1974, Doug enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving our country as a medic until 1977. He then returned to Killeen, Texas where he began a career in maintenance, construction, and project management. Later in life, he became an entrepreneur, creating and opening Heritage Maintenance and Construction, which he owned and operated from 1998 until his health declined in very recent years.

Doug’s greatest joy was his family. He met his future wife Nancy when they were just young teenagers. These two free-spirits connected, fell in love, and began a 40 year plus life journey together. They married in 1980, and gave birth to their only child, Candice Marie, a year later. His love for these two women steered the direction of his life, and filled his soul with a warmth visible to all who met him.

Doug was iron-willed and sharp, with a fun-loving and uplifting spirit. He was a man not-to-be messed with who also had a kind smile, an infectious laugh, and a big heart. He lived his life to the fullest, and was always in the midst of creating a good story. A man of nature, he was most at peace when he was hunting, fishing, camping, and boating with his buddies and family. He honored those who dedicated their lives to defending America, and he had a passion for guns, Texas, NASCAR, and his beloved dogs.

Doug’s life was a true Christian testament to this Earth. A God-loving man, he was a servant who not only “talked the talk,” but “walked the walk.” He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back and the boots off his feet. A giving and generous man, he dedicated his days to providing for and protecting those who knew him. It is this loving and gracious nature that those closest to him will miss most.

He is preceded in death by his mother Aurora Ramos Litchfield, father Douglas Wayne Benedict Sr., brother Richard Benedict Sr., nephew Richard Benedict Jr., and brother-in-law Jeff Kay.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Benedict, daughter Candice Insalaco and her husband Todd Insalaco Sr., brother Harold MacKean and his wife Dana MacKean, sister Christine Kay, sister Valerie Ford, mother-in-law Toni Wenzel and her husband Ed Wenzel, sister-in-law Devin Benedict, sister-in-law Linda Nunn and her husband Gerald Nunn, nieces Holly Morris, Jessica Kay, Valerie Benedict, and Tiffany Benedict, nephews Luke Benedict, James Kay, Beau Nunn, Christian Wenzel, Noah Wenzel, and Connor Wenzel, and his grandson Todd Insalaco, Jr., and granddaughters Natalie and Elizabeth Insalaco.

Cremation Rites have been accorded.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 3:30 PM at the First Baptist Church of Wylie - Draper Chapel, located at 100 N. 1st Street, Wylie, Texas, 75098.

A graveside inurnment will be held on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas has charge of arrangements.