Roberto Reyes Benavides

Mr. Roberto “Bob” Reyes Benavides, 80, of Round Rock, Texas went to be with the Lord on May 20, 2014. He was born on January 14, 1934 in Kingsville, Texas the son of the late Rebecca Reyes and Rogelio Ramos Benavides. He attended St. Martin’s Catholic Elementary School, Stephen F. Austin Elementary School, H.M. King High School, and obtained his associate degree from Georgia Tech University.

At the age of eighteen, he joined the United States Air Force. During his 20 years in the service he served in the Vietnam War, at Enawetak Atoll during the hydrogen bomb testing program known as Operation Castle, and also played on the Air Force football and softball teams. Mr. Benavides was stationed at several bases throughout the country, but it was during his time at Hanscom Field AFB in Massachusetts, that he met and married on July 16, 1955, his wife Lorraine Joan Benavides, who survives him.

Mr. Benavides retired from the Air Force in 1972 after twenty years of dedicated service. From there he went on to work as Street Director for the City of Kingsville and then as the Public Works Director for the City of Bishop for a brief period before moving on to work at the Kingsville Naval Air Station (NAS). He worked for Kingsville NAS for over thirty years as the Public Works Director. Mr. Benavides was one of the first of Hispanic heritage to obtain these positions both for the cities and the NAS. He opened the doors for others of diverse culture to follow. He retired from civil service in 2001.

Mr. Benavides was best known for his quiet compassion for his family and church. Everything he did he did with love and it was felt by all those around him. He was member of the Knights of Columbus and the Fourth Degree, served as president of St. Martin’s Catholic School, and was also a Boy Scout leader. Mr. Benavides was a man of God and a passionate carpenter, and as a troop leader, when he took the Boy Scouts camping they would build altars so that they could still attend church. This is just one example of his strong devotion. Though Mr. Benavides had strong ties to St. Martin’s Church during his life he became involved with all the catholic churches in his community. He was also very involved with the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary and even purchased an old convent that he would rebuild into a beautiful, loving, family home where his children and grandchildren would come and stay.

He is survived by his son, Roberto Reyes Benavides, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Raquel Jane and David Peck of Kingwood, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Regina Rae and Tommy Tharp of Temple, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Raelene Joan and Robert San Miguel of Leander, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Renee Rebecca and Phil Dixon of South Riding, Virginia; son and daughter-in-law, Roel Roger and Sara Benavides of Saint Charles, Missouri; grandsons Roberto “Bobby” Benavides, David Michael Peck, Robert Rand, Rafael Benavides, Zack Dixon, Jorge Benavides, Austin Dixon, Matthew Tharp, Ryan Dixon, Robert David San Miguel, Clarissa San Miguel, and Samuel San Miguel; granddaughters Jennifer Rand and Melody Sisson; and his seven great-grandchildren. Mr. Benavides was preceded in death by his grandson, Anthony “Tony” Benavides.

Video Tribute for Roberto's 80th Birthday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va3XP3OYVgc