Israel S. Benitez

Israel Benitez, 71, Temple, OK Graveside service at the Temple Cemetery, Thursday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m., Rev. Ron Bartoli officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Temple. Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Israel Saenz Benitez was born to Francisco and Victoria (Saenz) Benitez on November 1, 1943 at Guardado de Abajo, Tamaulipas Mexico and departed this life in Temple, OK on April 5, 2015 at the age of 71 years, 5 months and 4 days.

Moving from Mexico with his family at a young age, Israel grew up in South Texas. He eventually made his way to Temple, OK, while working in the oilfield. He married Juana Camero on September 13, 1968 at Anadarko, OK, making their home at Cyril. They soon moved to Texas and then back to Lawton before settling at Temple in 1976. On March 3, 1982 he went to work for the Oklahoma State Department of Transportation at Walters. He operated heavy equipment and had various other responsibilities during his 27 years with the state, retiring on May 31, 2009. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, poker, dominoes, singing, playing the harmonica, cooking and flea markets.

He was preceded in death by parents, Francisco and Victoria Saenz Benitez; a grandson, Jose Andres Gomez; a granddaughter, Anjelica Maria Gomez; a brother, Jesus Maria Saenz; and 3 nephews, Miguel Angel Manzanarez, Jesus Marcos Manzanarez and Lucio Benitez, Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Juana Benitez of the home; 4 children and their kids: a son Israel Benitez, Jr. and his sons, Israel Benitez, III and David Austin Benitez; a daughter, Guadalupe Castro and husband Jose G. Castro, and their children, Cairo Cylan Castro, Cadie Cabri Castro and Clayton Cole Castro; a daughter Francisca Godoy and husband Adrian, their children Juanita Melendez (and her daughter, Lorena Lynn Melendez) and Lexi Faith Gomez; a son, Benjamin Benitez and his children, Alexander Deacon Benitez and Paige Trinity Leigh Benitez; 2 brothers, Jose Luis Garza and Lucio Benitez; a sister and brother-in-law, Esthela and Teodoro Manzanarez; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.