He attended school in Kokernot and completed the 10th grade which was as far as you could go at the time. It was during his early years that he developed his hunting and fishing skills and his true passion for baseball and dominoes.
Jim enlisted in the army on July 24, 1944 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. After completing basic training twice he was assigned to the 275th Military Police Company and sent to Calcutta, India, arriving in India on July 9, 1945.He returned to the states and was Honorably Discharged on July 3, 1946. Not a 4th of July past that he did not remember and remind his family of his discharge date and his relief of being out of the army and India and back on American soil.
He met the love of his life Aline Hartman at a local dance, they were married on October 5, 1946. They lived briefly in Gonzales and then moved outside of Shiner. He began raising cattle, corn and cotton. His hard work paid off in 1949 when he brought in the first bale of cotton, for which he received a $500 bonus. While continuing to farm he also worked for 31 years at Kaspar Wire Works retiring in 1987.
Jim Benes loved and enjoyed many things in life, family, friends, hunting, and a good laugh. He truly loved baseball, being an Astros fan over 50 years and proudly wearing an Astros cap daily. Jim spent over 35 years coaching Shiner Little League. Anyone who played for him learned the basics of baseball but above all to love the game. He taught his players many things, not all of it baseball.
The other love of his life was hunting, he was a skilled marksman and hunter taking every member of his family to the deer lease during hunting season.
Jim was a top notch domino player, winning many tournaments throughout his life, he loved polka music and was proud of his Czech heritage.
Jim Benes was a proud Veteran and never forgot the sacrifices that all Veterans make for country and its freedom.
Jim is survived by four sons, Gary Benes of Shiner, Ronnie W. Benes and wife Frances of Richmond, Jimmy Benes Jr. of Burnet, Bruce L. Benes of Yoakum; one daughter, Barbara Wright and husband Kenneth of Gonzales, ten grandchildren, Bryan and Pam Gorden, Sunny Lehnert, Daniel Gene Benes and Deonna Whaley, Melissa and Keith Busby, Jamie And Melissa Benes, Timmy Benes, Daniel James Benes, Sherry and Robert Camp, Kyle Wright, Brock and Katy Wright. Eight great grandchildren, Abigail Gorden, Reese Gorden, Lindsey Lehnert, Wyatt Busby, Tristan Wright, Shiloh Wright, Lily Wright. Two great- great grandchildren, Michelle Cummins and Bentley Cummins and the beloved family dog Napoleon
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Mary Benes, wife Aline Hartman Benes, two brothers: Frank and Mike Benes, one infant brother Sony Benes, and twin infant daughters, and Sandra Cummins.
Jim was a member of Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Shiner American Legion, Hochheim Praire, Little League Coach for over thirty-five years and Army veteran of World War II.
Visitation will start at 10:00 am Monday, July 23, 2012 at the Buffington Funeral Home Chapel in Shiner. A Prayer Service will follow at 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, July 24, 2012 10:00 am at the Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church with internment to follow at the Shiner City Cemetery with Pastor Elaine Gomulka officiating.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.buffingtonfuneralhomeshiner.com
Arrangements held by Buffington Funeral Home, 520 N. Ave C, Shiner, Texas 77984 (361) 594-3352.
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