Sergio Benito Maldonado Sr. was born in Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico on March 21st 1965. He was the eldest son of Benito Medina Maldonado and Rosa Elva Hernandez. He had four younger brothers: Leandro, Jose, Juan, and Abel; and one younger sister: Rosa. They were raised in Fort Worth, Texas.
Growing up, he was very close with his many aunts, uncles, and cousins. His best friend was Juan Jacquez. Sergio graduated from Diamond Hill Jarvis Highschool on May 24th 1983. He became an electrician. Sergio married Sandra Gayle Sanchez on April 15th 1989. He had two children; one daughter: Sandra Christina Maldonado and one son: Sergio Benito Maldonado Jr. He had one grandson: Logan Ray Campanelli.
Sergio joined the United States Army on May 9th 1989 and retired on May 31st 2009 as a Staff Sergeant at Fort Hood, Texas. He earned his U.S. citizenship on March 2nd, 1991. During his military career, Sergio worked on power generator equipment. He received the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badge. He was stationed in Mannheim, Germany from 2001-2004. He served in Israel from January 1st 2003- April 1st 2003. He served in Iraq from January 4th 2004-November 28th 2004 then again from September 12th 2006-December 1st 2007.
After retirement Sergio enjoyed spending time with his family and friends listening to Tejano, country, and oldies music. His hobbies were grilling, fishing, camping, growing vegetables, going to the shooting range, and hunting. He was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and La Seleccion de Futbol de Mexico. He became a part of the kinship foster program and took care of his great nephews Quintien, Landen, and Jayden Joiner from 2013-2014. He later converted to Catholism as a Candidate. After completing the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, he received the sacraments of reconciliation, first communion, and holy matrimony on his 28th anniversary with his wife Sandra. He served on the security patrol for the Parish. He adopted a German Shepherd named Lobo in 2018. He took care of his Father-in-law Francis Sands from April 2019- November 2021.
Sergio fought a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away on September 23rd 2022 at the age of 57 at Creekside Terrance Rehabilitation in Belton, Texas under the care of Kindred Hospice. He was with his brother Juan Maldonado and his sister-in-law Hidie Maldonado. He received his last rites September 21st 2022 with Father Chris Downey. During his last days, he was visited by many of family members from Fort Worth and Mineral Wells.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Gayle Maldonado; his children: Sandra Christina Maldonado and Sergio Benito Maldonado Jr.; his grandson Logan Ray Campanelli; his brothers: Leandro Maldonado, Jose Maldonado, Juan Maldonado, and Abel Maldonado; his younger sister: Rosa Deleon, and many family members
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