Obituary for Domingo Ramos Benavides Domingo “Mingo” Ramos Benavides June 7, 1925 – June 3, 2018 Mingo passed away at the age of 92, four days short of his 93rd birthday. He was born in Poth, Texas on June 7, 1925 to Manuel Benavides and Ramona Ramos. Mingo was raised on a farm in south Texas with his sister and grandparents during the depression era until his young teenage years.
He attended only grade school until he reached the fifth grade at which time he was unable to finish as he was needed to help work at home. He married Jesusa Lopez at the age of 19 and had 7 daughters over a span of 20 years. He raised his family in Harlingen, Texas for the first 24 years and then relocated his family to Connell, Washington in 1969.
He later lived in Prosser/Grandview area for 38 years before moving to Spokane and Tri-Cities for the final four years of his life. His prominent careers were Valley Transit (VTC) Bus Driver for a few years, Pearl Beer Long Haul Driver for 27 years, and Washington State Department of Transportation Road Maintenance Crew where he was forced to retire early due to a work injury at the age of 62. He was born with a God-given talent of composing, singing and playing guitar beautifully.
He continued to play guitar and sing until the very end of his long life. He left behind a beloved appreciation for music especially “boleros” and “corridos” (Mexican musical tales) and his favorite artist, Pedro Infante. Mingo used his musical talents to demonstrate his love to many.
In his younger years, he played and sang on the radio; throughout his life he was notorious for serenading his sisters, daughters, granddaughters on Mother’s Day or birthdays (whether in person or via phone). Sometimes it was just calling a local radio station to dedicate a special song: “esta cancion es para las hijas de Domingo Benavides,” for his daughters as they arrived for his famous Sunday bar-b-ques. He was known for being a practical joker, having a witty sense of humor and he had an impeccable talent for mocking gestures of his family, friends and his favorite celebrities, Jackie Gleason (The Honeymooners) and Carrol O’Connor (Archie Bunker from All in the Family).
Six surviving daughters include Adelaida (Jack) Trevino, Irma Benavides Balli, Rebecca (Robert) Posner, Luvy (Leo) Carrasco, Sandra (Christopher) Cerna and Marcie (Benji) Estrellado. Ten surviving grandchildren include Deborah Trevino Shriver, Kristine Trevino, Gina Balli, Madeline Carrasco Henners, Laura Carrasco, Clay Cerna, Tallon Cerna, Briana Estrellado, Trevan Estrellado, Kailey Estrellado. Three surviving great-grandchildren include Joaquin Shriver, Sally Shriver, Phoenix Carrasco.
Mingo was preceded in death by infant daughter Evangelina and great-granddaughter Ava Star Shriver. A rosary will be prayed at 11 am with the Funeral Mass at 12 noon on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at St. Vincent Catholic Church, 220 S Dayton Ave Connell, WA 99326. His final resting place will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Connell, Washington.
Honary Pallbearers are: sons-in-law Jack Trevino, Leo Carrasco, Robert Posner, Christopher Cerna, and Benji Estrellado; grandsons: Clay Cerna, Tallon Cerna, and Trevan Estrellado. For online condolences please visit www. HillcrestBruceLee.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Domingo Ramos Benavides please visit our Sympathy Store.
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