Miguel Benitez Jr.

MIGUEL BENITEZ, JR. EDINBURG – Miguel Benitez Jr., 92, born in Brownsville, Texas passed away on August 18, 2014, in McAllen Medical Center with family and loved ones by his side. Miguel is preceded in death by his wife, Viola G. Benitez; a daughter, Sandra Chavez; his parents Miguel Benitez, Sr. and Maria Guadalupe Hinojosa; and three brothers, Reynaldo, Rene and Hector Benitez. He is survived by four daughters, Perla Bayardo, Sylvia (Xavier) Munoz, Lisa (Patrick) Ware, Cynthia Mia (Brad) Otto; two grandchildren, Gil Gonzalez and Michelle (Ralph) Wilson; a great-granddaughter, Morgan Presley Wilson; two sisters, Delia Rodriguez and Lupita Rico; and numerous nieces and nephews. Miguel met and fell in love with his wife Viola at the movies in 1947, they married shortly after and had their first of five daughters in 1948. They were married 60 years. He was the love of her life. He had a love of movies and bought the Roxy and Alameda Theaters in the early 1950's. He was a shrewd entrepreneur that worked in conjunction with his father and three brothers. A film distributor once said of this enterprising family: "The Benitez circuit always tries to make long-range plans for the right kind of pictures. They have had countless years of experience." Later in life he kept himself active by walking in the park every day, reading books, watching Dallas Cowboys football games and spending time with his family. He was elated that his driver’s license had been renewed for 2 more years at the age of 92. One of his favorite songs was "I Did It My Way" by Frank Sinatra. He sure did. You will be truly missed. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, August 22, 2014 at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Interment will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2014, at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 S. Inspiration Road, Mission, TX 78572. (956) 583-7227. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.