John Paul Benes

Mr. John Paul Benes passed away August 14, 2008 at approximately 6 AM at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Mr. Benes was 86 years old, having come into this world on March 3, 1922. He was born to Joseph B. and Bessie Fortl Benes, and his siblings were Joe, Sr., Bessie Haskins, Martha Jackson, Mary Prencil, Helen Cates, and Annie Keonitzer, none of whom have survived him.

John Benes graduated from Pearland High School as Valedictorian. He has always been an avid reader. After high school, John left Pearland to join the Navy with his good friend, Vic Shore, who predeceased him. Together they served in the South Pacific during World War II. John Benes was assigned to the US Medusa. He was proud to serve his country and proud of the men and women who served with him.

Upon his return from the War, John Benes enrolled at Texas A & M. He graduated in 1950 as Class Salutatorian with a degree in dairy science. He became a successful rice farmer, cattleman, and crawfish farmer. He farmed much of the land that Baytown presently occupies.

John Benes met Lula Fay Wilburn, his wife of fifty-seven years, through a mutual A & M friend, and the two were married on June 17, 1951. He was generous, kind and thoughtful in every way, but especially toward his wife. He never returned from the grocery with out bringing flowers.

John is survived by his wife, Lula Fay Wilburn Benes, his son and daughter-in-law, John Theo and Terry Benes of Spring, Texas, his daughter, Carol Sue Green of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and his grand children, Lydia Fay Benes of Baytown, Texas and Travis Theo Benes of Spring, Texas. He is also survived by a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jerilyn and Rodney Novosad of Baytown, Texas, a brother-in-law, George Cates of Dudley, Missouri, and a large number of nieces and nephews. His family was very important to him, and he was careful to maintain a special relationship with each member.

Services will be held at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rolling Brook Road, Baytown, Texas, on Saturday, August 16. 2008 at 1 PM.

Viewing will be at Navarre Funeral Home on Friday evening, August 15, 2008 from 6 PM to 8 PM. John will be laid to rest at Cedar Bayou Masonic Cemetery on Ferry Road in Baytown, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Mr. Joe Benes, Mr. Don Benes, Mr. Rodney Novosad, Mr. Tom Wright, Mr. John Haskins, and Mr. Travis Benes. Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Don Cote, Mr. Randy Thomas, and Mr. Jim McKendree.

Special recognition to his devoted niece, Linda Stewart, and to long time special friends, Tom Wright, Rodney Novosad, Bennie Williams, and Randy Thomas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.