Ramon Amaya, Sr.

Ramon Amaya, Sr., Age 62 of Kenedy, TX passed away on May 21, 2022 in Beeville, TX.  Raymond was born on January 23, 1960 in Choate, TX to the late Juan, Sr. and Angelita Escobedo Amaya.  He was a maintenance man for Pizza Hut & Dairy Queen, a loving father, brother, uncle and of the Christian Faith. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Juan, Sr. and Angelita Escobedo Amaya; sisters, Maria Amaya, Juanita Jacques, Herlinda Tovar, Aurora Dominguez and a brother, Felipe Amaya.

He is survived by his children, Cyndi Poynter and husband George of Beeville, TX, Raymond Amaya, Jr. of Beeville, TX, Ruben Amaya of Goliad, TX; sisters, Maria Inez Amaya of Floresville, TX, Petra Amaya Ramirez of Runge; brothers, Juan Amaya, Jr. of Kenedy, Isidro Amaya of Kenedy, David Amaya of Kenedy, Martin Amaya of Kenedy and numerous nieces and nephews that were very close to him.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with Services beginning at 1:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Christy Mejia officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, TX. 

Violet Loraine Fields

Violet Loraine Fields 86 of Tulsita, Texas passed away Tuesday May 24th.  She was born in Mineral, Texas June 29, 1935 to Jennie (Blake) Vaught and Lafayette W. Vaught.  She married Robert Fields on April 10, 1953 in Rockport, Texas She was artistic, creative, hard working and she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her parents Jennie and Lafayette W. Vaught; her brothers, Lafayette Jr., Cecil Vaught, Robert Vaught and her sister Dorothy Looney.  She is survived by her husband of 69 wonderful years Robert E. Fields, Sr.; her children, Judith Davis and husband Keith of Sweeny, Valerie Moore of Tulsita, Jennifer Massey and husband Gary of Alvin, Robert E. Fields, Jr. of Beeville, Philip Fields of Alvin; grandchildren Lisa Davis, Kimberly Burke, Robert Moore, Jared Massey, Brett Massey, Patrick Massey, Clayton Fields and 6 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with services starting at 11:00 AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Perkins officiating.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to First Baptist Church Pettus Building Fund.

Emmett Ray Shaw

Emmett Ray Shaw, 93, died Thursday, May 19, 2022 in Kenedy, TX.  Mr. Shaw was born October 10, 1928, to Robert L. and Maggie Shaw.  He attended Kenedy High School and enrolled in the United States Navy after graduation. After his discharge from the Navy, Ray worked at the Kenedy Cotton Compress, where he was a foreman for many years.  Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ila Raye, three brothers (Glenn, Clyde and Kelly), 3 sisters (Leone Ross, Ruby Burrage, and twin Fay Homeyer Blakeney), and son-in-law David Salyer.  Survivors include his daughter, Sherry Salyer, two granddaughters, Staci Salyer and Sharee Salyer, four great-grandchildren, Caley Jackson, Makenna Salyer-Norman, Omar David (O.D.) Solano, Logan Salyer, and brother-in-law, Harold Christian.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 26, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  The Funeral Service will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 26th, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Floyd Tompkins officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, in Kenedy, TX.

Ramon M. Diaz, Sr.

Ramon M. Diaz, Sr., Age 55 of San Antonio, TX passed away on May 19, 2022 in San Antonio, TX.  Ramon was born on April 6, 1967 in Kenedy, TX to Samuel B., Sr. and Maria Monsivais Diaz.   He was a loving father, brother, son and of the Catholic Faith. 

Ramon is survived by his parents, Samuel B., Sr. and Maria Monsivais Diaz of San Antonio, TX; daughters, Irma J. Diaz of San Antonio, TX, Rose M. Diaz and husband Isaiah E. Perez-Vasquez of San Antonio, TX; son, Ramon Diaz, Jr.; sister, Irma Jean Reyes and husband Carlos Reyes, Sr. of Kenedy, TX; brother, Samuel M. Diaz, Jr. of Tennessee and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 7P.M. in the Eckols Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, TX. Serving as Pallbearers: Samuel Diaz, Jr., Ramon Diaz, Jr., Carlos Reyes, Sr., Samuel Riojas, Robert Riojas and Carlos Reyes, Jr

Charles Preston “Punch” Humphries

Charles Preston “Punch” Humphries, of Kenedy, Texas passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the age of 82. Punch was born on August 22, 1939 in Oakville, Texas. He served as a cook in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1963 achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He worked for Buckalew Oil Field Trucking Company, Schlumberger Well Services as a surveyor, Martin Foods as a Distributor, and Gulley and May Cattle Co. as a cowboy/ranch hand. During this time, after acquiring a trencher certification, he went into business for himself establishing Humphries Trenching Service. Punch proudly called himself a ditch digger, installing cables and telephone lines. He also used his business to help many others by digging water and septic lines. After serving as reserve peace officer, Punch was elected as a Karnes County Constable in 1976 and served his precinct for sixteen years. He eventually worked for El Oso Water Company as superintendent for over eighteen years. In 1975, he joined the Eckols Funeral Home as the grave digger for the Stewart family and was honored to have helped bury loved ones that had met their demise, even once a billy goat. He saw himself as a “jack of all trades” When he wasn’t on his backhoe, he was on his tractor shredding for many of his friends. Punch was a laborer. He enjoyed work as well as helping others. He loved volleyball, hunting, dancing, and fishing. He was his own rancher through the years and loved his horses. He showed Appaloosa horses in his younger years and enjoyed buggy rides in local parades as he got older. Punch was dancing and digging until the month he passed away.

Punch is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Henry and Nora Armstrong Humphries as well as a sister, Geraldyne Edna Spencer. Punch is survived by his children, Charla Burns of Kenedy, TX; Michael (LeAnn) Humphries of San Antonio; four granddaughters: Kaeli Humphries, Taylor Humphries, Broghan (Blaise) Moy, and Morgan (Grayson) Beauregard; four great grandchildren: Taos, Saylor, Cash and Tilden; sister, Maynette Anderson of Kenedy, TX; eight nieces and nephews; and their spouses. 

Visitation will be held Monday, May 23, 2022 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Chapel. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 10AM in the Eckols Chapel with Rev. Wally Schievelbein and Pastor Walter Hill, III officiating. Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving Pallbearers: Ronnie Hahn, Jeff Hahn, Kenny Hahn, Jerry Spencer, Kody Kanak and Raul Gonzales. 

Honorary Pallbearers: Benny Spencer, Blaise Moy, Kendall Kanak, Rex Brown, and Mark Menn. 

Memorials may be made in his memory to the Karnes County Sheriff Dept. or any law enforcement agency.

Joe Fuentes, Jr.

Joe Fuentes Sr., 79, was born in Goliad, Texas, passed away on May 18, 2022.  His family was at his side.  Joe was born on April 24, 1943, to Maria Fuentes Montalvo. He was a retired certified welder, overall fix it master, and avid fisherman. In fact, there was never a lake, river, or bay that this fisherman wasn’t ever drawn to. He was married to Mary Garza Fuentes for 27 years. They had three children Kelly (Yolanda) Salinas, Joe (Elia) Fuentes Jr., and Dana (Ron) Hermes. He had three grandchildren Bianca Mary Salinas, Allison Amanda Salinas, and Tex Asher Hermes

Joe is survived by his brother Roland Montalvo of Robstown, TX., and sisters Martina Mendoza of Sinton, Alicia Agulia of Des Moines, IA, Antonia Garza of Kenedy, Diana Chabolla of Royal City, WA., and Lupita Montalvo of Victoria, TX. He was preceded by his mother, María Fuentes Montalvo, sisters’ Audelia Bowen, Anita Villanueva, Estela Hinojosa, and his brothers Juan Garcia and Robert Fuentes Montalvo.

Visitations will be at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:30 with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 12:30 P.M. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at 1:00 P.M. with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Interment will follow in the Loma Alta cemetery next to his wife in Kenedy, TX. 

Serving as Pallbearers: Arturo Hernandez, Joe Angel Segura, Ron Hermes, Tex Hermes, Sam Casanova and Armando Lopez.

Dennis Ray Fenner

Dennis Ray Fenner was born December 13, 1949 to Elroy & Ardanella Blaschke Fenner in Kenedy, TX.  He attended Kenedy High School and graduated in 1968.  He received his Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Central Texas College in Killeen, TX.  Dennis was a life long member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kenedy, TX.  He and Linda Green Fenner were married in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on August 2, 1969 by Pastor Menke.  They were married nearly 53 years.  Dennis and Linda were blessed with one son, Kevin Fenner, one grandson, Chase Fenner and two granddaughters, Autumn and Chelsie.

Dennis chose the field of Law Enforcement for his career and was very dedicated.  His Law Enforcement career spanned 49-1/2 years, beginning in 1972 as a reserve officer for the Karnes County Sheriff Dept.  He then enlisted in the Army as Military Police, then promoted to Military Police Investigation, then a CID Agent in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Army.  When he chose to leave the Army for Civilian Law Enforcement, he went to work for the Karnes County Sheriff’s Dept. as Chief Deputy.  His career included serving as Kenedy’s Police Chief for 12 years, an Investigation for the State, and his favorite position was Constable Prct. #1 for the last 20 years, which he retired from on December 31, 2021.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Elroy and Ardanella Blaschke Fenner and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Walter and Louise Green.  He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ernest and Analiese Blaschke and his paternal Grandparents, Carl and Ida Fenner and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Survivors include his wife of over 52 years, Linda Green Fenner, his son Kevin Fenner (Debbie), his two brothers Pat Glen Fenner (Mariann) and Roy Lee Fenner.  His grandchildren, Chase Fenner, Autumn and Chelsie Fenner, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family Visitation will be held Friday, May 20, 2022 in the Eckols Chapel from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Services will be Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Wally Schievelbein officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Tim Crow, Eddie Salas, Oscar Garcia, Bil Homeyer, David Theuret, Tom Hailey, Terry Schmidt and Jeff Hahn.

Robelin Perez Benavides, Sr.

Robelin Benavides or as many of his students and coworkers knew him as “Coach Benny”, “Coach B” or “Benihana” went to be with the lord and his late wife on Saturday, April 30, 2022 in Houston, TX.

Coach B was born on March 2, 1950 in Falfurrias, TX to the late Domingo and late Elida Perez Benavides.  The third of six children he often told stories of getting into trouble with his brothers and sisters and growing up picking cotton and acting like one of the three stooges.  After graduation from high school, he pursued a degree in education from the University of North Texas.  It was during his time at North Texas that he met his late wife, Amelia Aguirre who preceded him in death 2010, who was also pursuing a degree in education.  They were married on May 27, 1972, in Pawnee, TX.  To say the day went off without a hitch would be an understatement.  After more than a two-hour delay, they both managed to get to the church and say I do.  The two of them were married for 38 years and would build a wonderful life together filled with ups and downs as many marriages do.   They brought into this world a son, Robelin Benavides, Jr of West Columbia, TX and a daughter, Miranda (Mandy) Benavides who married husband Todd Harding of Richmond, Tx in 2006.

It was often said that his second vehicle was a UHAUL truck, and he would take his family with him from school district to school district all in the pursuit of the coveted state championship.  He loved his children and taught them to fish, play sports, drive, and have a love for travelling.  Every Sunday he would grab his bag of salt and vinegar chips and plate of summer sausage, cheese, and crackers and watch his beloved Dallas Cowboys, whom he had a love hate relationship with.

He loved John Wayne movies, old westerns, and Elvis Presley.  In fact, one of his favorite memories was visiting Graceland to see where the king himself lived.  If he wasn’t watching sports (University of Texas or New York Yankees), he was coaching sports.  Coach B taught and coached for over 35 years in several districts throughout Texas.  He loved all sports (well maybe not soccer).  Some of his favorite moments were coaching 7th grade football in West Columbia, TX or high school softball in Sweeny, TX.  He always had a bucket of sunflower seeds and a smile that was contagious.

He had an extremely loving heart and would give the shirt off his back to anyone.  He never wanted to see someone sad and would always aim at putting a smile on anyone’s face.  In fact, the only thing bigger than his heart and louder than his personality, was his sneezes.  Boy, could he scare a baby and quiet a room when he sneezed.  He loved calling Bingo at family reunions and often was the jokester appearing in the family photo twice, anything to make the group laugh.

Coach B traveled to Australia and Thailand and enjoyed seeing other parts of the world.   He married his wife, Jan Ellen Benavides of West Columbia, TX in 2015.  When he wasn’t working at H&R Block, devoting his time to his wonderful clients, he was travelling with Ellen.

He took extreme pride in his grandchild Josephine Harding (1) of Richmond, TX for whom was the only person he let hang up on him constantly.  He loved his Miniature Schnauzer, Priciness and his Miniature Schnauzer granddogs, Raven, Ember, and Rudder.  He was a beloved father, brother, husband, son and friend.  He will be missed deeply.

He is also preceded in death by brothers, Abel Benavides and Nano Benavides; and granddogs Tyson and Sadye.

He is also survived by sisters, Alma Silvas of Haskell, TX, Irene Tobar of Seguin, TX; brother, Reyes Perez Benavides of Smithville, TX; and a host of extended family members.

Family Visitation will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 9A.M. to 11A.M. with Funeral Services beginning promptly at 11A.M. at Primera Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel in Pawnee, Tx with the Pastor Ricky Roman from El Buen Pastor Baptist Church, Beeville, TX officiating.  Interment will follow in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston, https://www.msrh.org/donate.   Rob loved his schnauzer, Princess and all his Schnauzer granddogs. The family would also like to thank all his wonderful friends and families for truly touching out fathers’ life throughout the years.

Serving as Pallbearers:  Michael Benavides, Todd Harding, Chris Johnson, Nick Johnson, Kevin Ransom, Matthew Rodriquez