Sam P. Benson

Sam Benson, 73, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at his residence in Dallas, TX. He will always be remembered as a loving, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all that knew and loved him.

He was born in Texarkana, TX on August 10, 1940, to Sam Henry Benson and Carrie Frances Emerson Benson. He was a long-time restaurateur and a member of the Texas Restaurant Association since 1964. He also served two terms as president of the Dallas Restaurant Association. Sam was a regional manager with El Chico Corporation for many years before opening Café Maria in Garland with his father-in-law Joe Caballero. Later he was a partner and General Manager of Tejano Mexican Restaurant in North Oak Cliff.

Benson attended Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, North Texas State University in Denton, and the University of Texas at Arlington. His motto was “to live a Christian life and to be of service to others.”

He is survived by his wife Fifi Caballero Benson of Dallas, TX; daughter Gina

O’Briant of Dallas, and son-in-law Mark; granddaughter Lauren Honor O’Briant

and her fiancé, Dane Wilson, granddaughter Lindsey O’Briant Harris and her

husband Brandon; and one great-granddaughter, Leighton Monroe Harris. He

was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald Benson.

A Funeral Service will be conducted at 12:00 pm “noon” on Saturday, September 21, 2013, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Hwy Chapel, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery.