Benito C. Yanez

Benito C. Yanez, 82, of Alice, Texas passed away on December 11, 2020.

Benny was born in Corpus Christi to Jose and Alejandra Yanez on February 12, 1938.  He was a member of the 1957 graduating class of Roy Miller High School in Corpus Christi where he lettered in basketball and football.   He received his Associate’s Degree from Del Mar College, and Bachelor’s Degree (1960) and Master’s Degree (1967) from Texas A&I, Kingsville.  To put himself through college, Benny worked after hours at Watson’s Upholstery Shop in Corpus Christi, sweeping the floors and cleaning the shop, then, working as Mr. Watson’s apprentice to learn the trade.  He married Lydia Mendoza on December 22, 1963 in Corpus Christi.  He worked as an educator for Alice I.S.D. for 43 years.  He taught American History, Civics, Economics, and Government.  He was also a golf coach.  For many years, he was the scoreboard clock operator for the Alice High School football games.   He was a tireless supporter of Alice High School fine arts, particularly the band and jazz band programs.  His dedication to education and fine arts inspired his four children to become educators.

He was a member of TSTA and served as local president with his long-time friend and colleague Ernestine V. Glossbrenner.   He was a volunteer with M.A.Y.O, the Mexican-American Youth Organization.  He also served as a poll worker and election judge for Jim Wells County, and as a delegate for the Texas Democratic State Convention.  As an avid golfer, he was a member of the Pan American Golf Association.  He was an expert fisherman where he spent much of his time fishing with his children, grandchildren, and his many friends.

Benny is preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Cruz, Henry, and Joe Yanez.

Benny is survived by Lydia, his loving wife of 57 years, and children Arnie Yanez, and his wife Penny; Sandy Atkins and her husband Pat; Rick Yanez, and his wife Anissa; and Angelica Yanez; grandchildren, Zach and Maddie Yanez; Benjamin, Alexandra, and Nicholas Atkins; Josh, Samantha, Orion, and Lincoln Yanez; brothers, Alex and Bobby Yanez, and sister, Eva Marruffo.

Pallbearers are Arnie Yanez, Zac Yanez, Rick Yanez, Pat Atkins, Alex Yanez, Bob Rincon, and Beto Saenz.

In observance of our social responsibility due to Covid-19, all funeral services, including the mass, will be private with immediate family only.  The Rosary and Mass will be live-streamed on Facebook through Trevino Funeral Home at 11 a.m., and St. Joseph Catholic Church at 1 p.m.  Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Corpus Christi.  A public celebration will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Benito C. Yanez Scholarship.  For more information, please contact Arnie Yanez at arnieyanez@gmail.com.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all the doctors and nurses who have spent countless hours caring for Benny.

Facial masks must be worn and social distancing must be practiced while attending funeral services due to the current pandemic.