James Jude Benoit, Major USAF (Ret.), age 93, of El Paso, Texas passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, July 31, 2023. James (Jay) was born on December 18, 1929 in Louisville, Kentucky to Frank C. and Marguerite Kilkenny Benoit. The Benoit family relocated to Illinois, where James spent his childhood and teen years in Momence and Kankakee. James graduated from Saint Patrick High School (Bishop McNamara) in 1947.
In November 1950, James enlisted with the United States Air Force. Having earned his pilot’s license at the age of sixteen, he was ready to take to the skies. His Dad and brothers drove him to Chicago, and from there he boarded a train bound for Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He often shared how his one-way train trip to Texas changed his life forever.
In November of 1953, he earned his wings at Lackland AFB. As a 2nd Lieutenant, James was assigned to then Biggs Air Force Base, Texas near El Paso. He recalled how he and another airman stood in front of an oversized map of Texas to look for El Paso, seeing that they were given three days to get there. Being the adventurous personality that he was, James road tripped from San Antonio taking the long way through Big Bend and Marfa towards west Texas, finally arriving in El Paso. In 1956 while at a crew party at his boss’s house in El Paso, he met the love of his life, Maria Carmen Alva.
James and Carmen were married on August 10, 1957, at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in El Paso, Texas. In 1958 James’ new assignment took them to Japan, where they went on to start their family, tour the country and appreciate the Japanese culture. The Air Force took them from Japan to Washington State, then back to Japan. In 1968 they moved one last time, back to El Paso. After serving his country during the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict, James retired from the United States Air Force in November 1970.
After his retirement, James returned to college at The University of Texas at El Paso, where he earned a BA in Mass Communications. As a teenager, James played the trombone with a dance band where he traveled the Chicago area and met some of the famous big band leaders and jazz greats of the time. He also went on to play trombone with the Air Force Band during the early years of his service, in between flight school and other assignments. He had a lifelong love for Jazz, was a subject matter expert on the topic and immersed himself into his music. James “JJ Jazz” DJ’d a Jazz radio show at KTEP, performed on his trombone, was the emcee for countless Jazz performances, was a member of El Paso Friends of Jazz, and as a band Dad he supported the Austin High School Band Boosters. He loved to sing as well and was a member of the El Paso Border Chorders.
James was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Maria Carmen Alva Benoit in July 2021, his parents Frank Sr. and Marguerite, and his brothers and sisters: Frank Benoit, Jr. (Lois), Helen McKenna (Clark), Margaret Billadeau (Edward), Patrick Benoit, Martin Benoit (Vivian), and infant Robert Benoit.
He is survived by his children who will honor his memory as a wonderful and loving father: James J. Benoit, Marie Judy Natividad (Ruben), Anne Cathy Hicks (Duane), and Frank Charles Benoit (Shannon).
Grandchildren: Monica Marquez, Tiffany Natividad, Jennifer-Anne Martinez (Randal), Dr. Michael Hicks, Elizabeth Hicks, Madeline Benoit, Mia Benoit, Charlie Benoit, and great-granddaughters Liliana and Aria Gonzales.
Sisters in Law, Mrs. Mary Yolanda Miller of El Paso, Mrs. Mary Ann Benoit of Livermore, California, and dozens of nieces, nephews, and grands.
The Benoit family would like to thank the entire staff at Three Oaks Hospice, including Claudia, Bernice, Lucy, and Linda for their compassionate and attentive care. They are also thankful to their Aunt Mary Yolanda for praying with James and for being a spiritual connection during James’ final days and hours.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 18th at Funeraria Del Angel Central, in El Paso. Visitation will start at 11:00. Rosary and blessing will start at 12:00, followed by a gravesite service with military honors at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org.
“We will never forget him, nor the last time we saw him, as he prepared for his journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelMartin.com for the Benoit family.
