Benny was born to John and Florence (Malinak) Bravenec on August 3, 1938 in Houston, Texas. He graduated from the University of Houston with a BA in Business Administration with a major in Accounting in 1960. He received his Masters in Greek from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1965. He served in the Airforce Reserves for 3 years. He later became a CPA. He was the comptroller for Projects American Corporation until retiring in 2014.
Benny pastored many Bible churches in Southwest Texas. He helped start a few churches, often preaching two or three at a time. He pastored at Sandy Point Bible Church for over 20 years and greatly valued his ministry and longtime friends there. He loved the Word of God; passionately studied, memorized, lived, and shared the truths of the scriptures. He focused his ministry on Christ and His finished work on the cross. He was faithful in his witness to his family and friends, desiring they should come to know the Lord like he did. He LOVED the Lord so much!
Benny was a man of many and varied interests. He loved bullfrogging and fishing with his brothers and later with his daughters and grandchildren. He loved traveling Texas and the whole United States, particularly the National Parks and caves. He enjoyed wildlife and birding. He was a prolific collector of view master reels, stamps and stereo cards. He had a great appreciation of music, even taking a night class at Rice University in his forties to learn more about classical music and composers. He enjoyed photography, usually of natural scenes and family. He loved to tell stories and made friends instantly with anyone who was sitting near him in any setting. He loved sports and hardly ever missed an event of his grandchildren. He took such joy in kids; he was like a magnet to them, horsing around and just having fun. People always remembered him everywhere he went because he was so friendly, boisterous, and such a kind man.
He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and his brother, John. Survivors include his daughters, Kathy Ann DeLoach and husband Scott of Conroe, Tx and Becky Kacal and husband Matt of Sugar Land, Tx. He was a very proud “Bibert” to his grandchildren Jake, Kellen, and Jordan Kacal; Wesley, Austin (wife Emily), Brayden, and Baylee DeLoach. He is also survived by his two brothers, Lorence Bravenec and wife Zora, Robert Bravenec and wife Nelda, his sister in law Lydia Jaksic, and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tom Popelka Ministries, Camp Peniel, and The Gideon International.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the caretakers at The Legacy who took such good care of him.
Pallbearers are his grandchildren, Jake, Kellen, and Jordan Kacal and Wesley, Austin, Brayden and Baylee DeLoach.
Service Information:
Please wear casual clothes and closed shoes (there is a lot of west Texas burr grass at the cemetery). There will be an informal reception after the services at the cemetery pavilion. Please note that there is no bathroom at the cemetery, however, Snook Brethren Church about a mile down the road has graciously allowed us to use their facilities so it is recommended that you use the bathroom before coming.
