Arturo Benavides

Arturo X. Benavides, of Brownsville, Texas passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, his 93rd birthday. Mr. Benavides was born in Laredo, Texas to Arturo A. Benavides and Maria Garza Fernandez. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, but as a member of "The Greatest Generation," he interrupted his education and answered the call to serve his country during WWII. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945 after a three year tour of service in Greenland. He then returned to Austin to complete his degree. As a student at UT, he met the love of his life, Florestela Lerma, and they married in February, 1949 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral - commencing their 66 years of marriage and life in Brownsville. During his long life in Brownsville, he served BISD in numerous administrative capacities, culminating with his retirement in 1985 as Assistant Superintendent for Federal Programs. He is credited with serving as BISD's first bilingual education director - a position considered to be the first of its kind in the nation, director of pre-school and Head Start programs and also spearheaded the advent of the district's migrant initiative. In 1999, BISD recognized his dedication to the students of the community and achievements in education by naming an elementary school in his honor. Upon his retirement from the school district, he embarked on his "second career," operating Alfa Loan Company for over 20 years. Despite numerous accolades and titles throughout his lifetime, the greatest one he cherished professionally was that of teacher. Mr. Benavides was active in various organizations including: the Knights of Columbus, International Order of Alhambra, East and West Brownsville Little Leagues, St. Mary's Catholic Church and Kiwanis International. He was a member of the Texas State Teacher Association and National Education Association. Known to many simply as either "A.X." or "Uncle Art", he had a great love of dancing, sports, the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family. His impact on the lives of students, teachers, friends and relatives is immeasurable and his presence in our lives will be greatly missed.

Preceded in his death by his parents and brother, Oscar Benavides, he is survived by his wife of 67 years, Florestela L. Benavides; daughter, Brenda Benavides; son, Jude A. Benavides and wife Anne;
grandchildren, Danielle Martinez, Cristina Mitchell and Sebastian A. Benavides; four great-grandchildren and a sister, Ilma Cazares of Houston, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers: Enrique J. Saldana, Jr.; Miguel A. Saldana; Enrique A. Saldana; Michael E. Saldana; Edward "Ted" Cazares; Nem J. Bryan, IV; Christopher J. Garcia; Henry Kenneson.

Honorary pallbearers include: Robert Garcia; Jesse Trevino; Manfredo del Castillo; Angel Martinez; Dr. Reynaldo Garcia; Leonel Rosales; Tom Keller; Cesar Cisneros.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2016 in the North Chapel of Treviño Funeral Home with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass is scheduled at 10 a.m Saturday, January 16, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Interment following at Buena Vista Burial Park.


In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Arturo X. and Florestela Benavides Scholarship Endowment at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Please contact the Development Office of UTRGV at: 956-665-5301 or email at: give@utrgv.edu .

Visitation

Trevino Funeral Home South Chapel
1355 Old Port Isabel Rd.
Brownsville, TX  78521
Friday, January 15, 2016
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Trevino Funeral Home South Chapel
1355 Old Port Isabel Rd.
Brownsville, TX  78521
Friday, January 15, 2016
7:00pm

Service

Funeral Mass

St. Mary's Catholic Church
1914 Barnard Street
Brownsville, TX  78521
Saturday, January 16, 2016
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
125 McDavitt Boulevard
Brownsville, TX  78521