Benito Lee Lucio

1948 - 2024

Benito Lee Lucio

November 12, 1948 - July 23, 2024

Phoenix, Arizona - Benito "Benny" Lee Lucio passed into the Kingdom of Eternal Joy on July 23, 2024. A rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m., Friday, August 9, 2024 in Lunn's Colonial Chapel, Wichita Falls, Texas with a visitation to follow from 6-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024 in Lunn's Colonial Chapel.

Born in Wichita Falls, TX on November 12, 1948, Benny remained a true Texan even after living in Kansas, Oklahoma, and moving to Phoenix, AZ in his later years. He was a great friend, colleague, brother, father and grandfather.

In his early years Benny learned culinary skills from some of the greatest kitchens in the world, such as Luby's and Pizza Hut. He was a natural adventurer which served him well as he moved up the corporate ladder of ARCO and then switched careers to eventually become a train engineer with BNSF. Benny had a strong sense of justice and loyalty to those who worked with and for him. He was known to advocate for friends and co-workers in times of need despite the possibility of peril to his own situation. He was also known for his charitable contributions to indigenous communities throughout Arizona.

Benny had a gregarious personality - he never met a stranger! He was a fabulous dancer, thrilling storyteller, genial traveling companion, master at Halloween decorating, avid Western and Hallmark channel watcher, and a loyal friend with a generous spirit and sense of humor. To his grandkids, Benny was an incredible Buelito. He loved Ariel, the Little Mermaid, was scared of budgie parakeets, made tortillas with the perfect manchas, and had a complicated relationship with his beloved Cowboys. He tolerated (but secretly loved) the many dogs his children forced into his life.

He is survived by his children and their families, Meredith Anne Lucio, Jennifer Lee Lucio Riha (married to Stepan, mother to Magdalena Anežka, Simone Milada, Penelope Libuše, and Jonah Václav), and Daniel Lee Lucio (married to Joanna Dominica Lucio, father to Orion Benito and Cassiopeia Roberta), his lifelong friend, one-time wife and mother of his children, Rita Lee Lucio, siblings Richard Lucio (Cathy), Bertha Gagliano, Virgina Pendley, Helen Talley (Robert) and Jessie Lucio as well as a beloved community of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Benny was preceded in death by his father Enrique Lucio, mother Guadalupe Lucio, siblings Cecilia, Beatrice, Henry, and half-sister Gracie. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to World Central Kitchen (www.wck.org) in honor of his lifelong love of good food or St. Vincent De Paul, where he loved donating purged items.