Ruben G. Benavides Sr.

Ruben G. Benavides Sr, age 79, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Odessa Medical Center surrounded by his family. Ruben was born on September 6, 1944 to Andres and Reyes Benavides in Manuel Benavides Chihuahua, Mexico.

Ruben grew up on his multigenerational family cattle ranch alongside his 3 brothers, Raul, Genaro, Nicandro, and 2 sisters, Soledad and Agripina and numerous cousins in Manuel Benavides Chihuahua. He loved to talk about his childhood and the old ranching lifestyle on horseback. He left ranch life to go study mechanical engineering in Chihuahua. On a visit home he met his forever love at a street dance. They married in May of 1967. They eventually settled in Kermit, TX where they raised six children. He retired from the oilfield after 40 plus years where his name is still known for being one of the most experienced backhoe operators. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or build. 

Most recently, as his pace of life slowed down, he was content with sitting outside and watching traffic from his front porch while calling someone from his extensive phone list. He never met a stranger and was a big fan of the LA Dodgers. He loved having family gather around so he could cook for them and tell his stories and jokes. He also loved spending time with all his grandchildren and traveling to Mexico to visit family and friends. There was never a party where he missed a dance. A week before his passing he danced his last dance with his daughters, granddaughters and sisters.

He is survived by his wife Rosa Benavides of Odessa; son Ruben Benavides Jr; son Bogar and wife Angie Benavides; daughter Mabel and husband Berkley Craig; daughter Melva and husband Lupe Olivas; son Jaime and wife Brandi Benavides, daughter Irma and husband Christian Molina. He has twenty-four grandchildren and sixteen great-grand children. He is preceded in death by his father Andres and mother Reyes Benavides.

Pallbearers are Jonathan Marquez, Christopher Benavides, Chandler Benavides, Tyler Martinez, Vincent Miramontes, JJ Benavides, and Andrew Benavides.

Honorary pallbearers are Justin Martinez, Dez Vickers, Cohen Holley, Nathaniel Marquez and Christian Molina Jr.

Visitation will be Sunday February 18 from 1pm-9pm. with a rosary at 7pm held at Martinez Funeral Home in Odessa, TX. Mass will be Monday February, 19 at 2pm at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Committal Service immediately following at the American Heritage Cemetery located at 4100 FM1788 Midland, Texas 79707 on Monday, February 19, 2024.