Thomas William Benedict

Thomas William Benedict, 65, passed away unexpectedly on April 7, 2022 at his home in Richardson, Texas. Thomas was born on May 11, 1956 to Norman Vincent Benedict USN and Valeria Ann Benedict in Dallas, Texas, predeceased.

He is survived by his: wife, Wendy Benedict-Huffman; children, Britt Leigh Pollard, of Farmersville, Texas, Sarah Tolleson, of Sheffield, Alabama, and Bryan Benedict, of Norman, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Brennen and Breelynn Pollard and Aiden and Skylar Tolleson; sister, Suzan Storm; step children, John Skinner V, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, Faith Smith-Huffman of Grapevine, Texas, Amber Huffman of Carrollton, Texas, and Elizabeth Huffman of McKinney, Texas; and step grand-children Alex, Emily and Brigid Rhoden/Skinner, and Evelyn Smith.

His military dad, traditional mother, and the Boy Scouts gave him his early and lasting work ethic which continued throughout his entire life. As a young man Tom helped his father in the upkeep of rental properties they owned, was a paper boy for the Dallas Morning News, and a bus boy at Pancho's. In Tom's adult life he was a fleet mechanic for DPL where he also became a Union Leader and dressed up as "Louie the Lightning Bug" for parades, he did vehicle state inspections at Joe Moody's Automotive and he had his own mechanic business out of his garage, then he made microchips at Tri-Quint, Texas Instruments, and Ratheon, and he was a bender at Watson and Chalin Mfg.

Tom was musically gifted. He can be remembered playing Ob-La-Di on the piano; playing the guitar; playing a baritone in the marching band at Hillcrest High; writing at least one song; trying to start a band; and singing with his friends and family. For Tom music and memories were tightly entwined and he cherished his memories of dancing to old country in the living room with his children. Never tainting that memory by dancing with anyone else. In his last days he listened to Mexican radio stations because, "It doesn't remind me of anything".

Tom loved history. It started with collecting stamps with his father. He said that you could learn a lot about the world and its people that way.

Tom loved his family with all of his heart and always wanted them to succeed in life.

He is missed deeply.

All who knew Tom and his family are welcome to attend his funeral service and interment as we place his remains near his parents' at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75243 on Monday June 5th, 2023. Viewing to start at noon. Service & interment to be held at 2pm. Repast following where we will share stories, memories, and fellowship together as we enjoy light refreshments. Please RSVP at wmbenhuff@email.com

Tom's favorite passage: Finally my brethren, be strong in the LORD and in the power of HIS might. Put on the whole armour of GOD that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:10-12