Carlos Benavides

Carlos Benavides, 63, passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2016, in Brownsville, Texas, surrounded by his family and close friends.

A lifelong Brownsville resident, Mr. Benavides was a graduate of Pan American University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and English. He taught history for 30 years with the Brownsville Independent School District, he loved being an educator and spent 27 years as a classroom and behind-the-wheel instructor for Benavides Driving Schools, a family-owned and operated business since 1975.

His first career, and true talent however, was in music. Mr. Benavides was a self-taught pianist and popular music composer. As a teenager, he started a band with his brothers and for nearly five decades, they played as The Sun, Shotgun and, most recently, Nosotros. He continued to play keyboard and provide back-up vocals for the group until early 2016.

Mr. Benavides is survived by his father, Ruben Benavides Sr.; wife, Elvia Cisneros; sons, From his first marriage, Carlos Jr. and his wife Melody, Michael and his wife Edna, William and Alex from his second marriage; his granddaughters, Kennedi, Sienna, Jada, Hanna and Sophia Benavides; brothers Ruben Jr., Fernando, and Mario; as well as many half siblings, and a large, extended family. He is preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Paredes Benavides, brother Pedro, sister Martha, and daughter, Martha Vanessa Benavides.

Services for Mr. Benavides have been entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. A viewing is scheduled for (Wednesday, September 7th from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St Mary’s Church; Brownsville Texas, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary Service from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) followed by cremation services and a private family memorial.

Services will conclude at the end of the evening.