On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Esequiel Benitez, a devoted father, brother and friend passed away at the age of 83 after a long health battle. He was one of four children born to Encarnacion Benitez and Maria Guadalupe Benitez-Salinas on December 18, 1940 in Guardados de Abajo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Esequiel as young adult attended various educational institutions "Academias" in Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas and earned certifications in math, reading, and calligraphy. He immigrated to Texas at the age of 17 and spent the later part of his life in Roma, Texas. He attended Roma Public School and was an exemplary student and received accolades from the principal of the school. The principal of Roma Public School asked him to make presentations and speeches on various subjects that he learned in Miguel Aleman. He began his career as a farm laborer in the fields of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and seasonally traveled to Bakersfield, California to work the fields. He would later move to Houston, Texas to a career as a longshoreman of the International Longshoreman Association Local 24. He was a loyal longshoreman who contributed to the unloading of cargo at the various ports of Texas. He honorably retired from the I.L.A. Local 24 and left a hardworking example for his colleagues and family. He enjoyed playing baseball with his siblings and enjoyed studying. Esequiel's hobbies consisted of writing, admiring his collection of baseball caps, driving his car, watching baseball, and socializing with others. He enjoyed the company of his family, and was a genuine father figure, who set the legacy of giving unconditional love for his family as well as others.
Left to cherish his memories of his children Claudia Benitez-Smith, Ezequiel Benitez Jr, Elihu Guadalupe Benitez, companion Maria de Los Angeles Benitez-Moreno, sibling Eva Benitez-Carrillo. He was preceded in death by his loving father Encarnacion Benitez, mother Maria Guadalupe Benitez-Salinas, grandparents Jacinto Moreno-Benitez, Santos Villarreal, Cesario Benitez, Martina Salinas-Jimenez, and brothers Elido Benitez and Elias Benitez.

Esequiel is gone but never forgotten, leaving his loving memories in our hearts forever.

A poem in memory of Esequiel written by his loving son, Elihu Guadalupe Benitez:

"A Shining Star"
"Esequiel was a big light, Esequiel was a shining star, not only for his kids and wife, but for everyone around him, he gave from his heart, he gave from his soul, never asked for anything in return, if he could make you laugh, if he could help cheer you up, he would, he would work tirelessly to provide for his children, Esequiel was a big light, Esequiel was a shining star, he gave from his heart, he gave from his soul, he embodied the divine love that only exists within, his legacy lives on, his love lives on, in the heart of all, Esequiel left his mark here, Esequiel left that legacy of divine love for others."