Guadalupe P. Benavides Jr.

Guadalupe P. (Lupe) Benavides, Jr. of Goliad, Texas, formerly a resident of Corpus Christi, journeyed to his eternal life with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday morning, August 10, 2005. Born in Falfurrias, Texas, Lupe moved to Corpus Christi when he was six years old. During his adult life, he worked for several companies including the Holsum Sunbeam Bakery, Seven-Up Bottling Company, and the Dr. Pepper-Royal Crown Bottling Company. In 1988, he and his wife relocated to Goliad County, where they owned and operated the Benavides Ranch with enthusiasm and jubilation. They reveled in the fresh country air, raising herds of cattle, goats, and other small farm and domestic livestock, while also hosting many family gatherings, parties, and special holiday events. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 45 years, Anastacia Alvarado Benavides, and his son, Baltazar A. Benavides, M.D.; his parents, Genoveva and Guadalupe P.M. Benavides, Sr., three of his brothers, Rogelio, Baltazar, and Julian; and two of his sisters, Berta B. Arevalo and Janie B. Lopez.Survivors include three sons: Carlos (Norina) Benavides and Alfred (Leticia) Benavides of Houston, Texas, Dr. David (Belen) Benavides of Kearney, Nebraska; one daughter, Sylvia (Gary) Motes of Houston, Texas; 13 grandchildren: Rick (Janelle) and Robert of Corpus Christi, Texas; David, Kathryn, Baltazar, Stephanie, Cristina, Sarah Beth, and Zachary, of Houston, Texas; and, Marissa, Alina, Daniel, and Natalia, of Kearney, Nebraska; three great-grandchildren: Jacob, Matthew, and Samuel, of Corpus Christi, Texas. Also surviving are three brothers: Raul (Rosario) Benavides, Rene (Margarita) Benavides, and Oscar (Alicia) Benavides, and one sister, Alicia B. Wilmot, all of Corpus Christi, Texas, and many nieces and nephews. The Benavides and Motes families wish to thank our Dad's special God-sent caregivers, Michelle Cook and Esther Markert, Sister Charlene and the St. Ambrose Catholic Community in Houston, and the Houston Hospice team of nurses and their support staff. We would also like to thank the medical professionals at Houston Oncology Consultants, Memorial Hermann Hospital Memorial City and the Radiation Therapy Department, especially Drs. Zoran Cupic, Luis Campos and Clive Shkedy. A vigil service and visitation was held on Thursday, August 11, 2005 at Cantu Funeral Home, 2402 Baldwin Boulevard, in Corpus Christi, Texas, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., to be followed by a rosary prayer at Our Lady of the Pilar Catholic Church, 1101 Bloomington Street. The Funeral Liturgy and Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, August 12, also at Our Lady of the Pilar and the Rite of Commital will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park.