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Added by tmw3
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Life Story
  • Birth

  • Residence: Age: 0; Age: 1/12; Marital Status: Single; Relation To Head Of House: Son

  • Residence: Age: 10; Marital Status: Single; Relation To Head Of House: Son

  • Residence

  • Residence: Age: 20; Marital Status: Single; Relation To Head Of House: Son

  • Residence

  • Residence

  • Death: Age: 89

  • Burial

  • Story: Benny's Obit

    <p><span style="font-size: small;">John Richard Beneventi, 89, passed away Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, after a brief illness.</span><br><span style="font-size: small;">Service: A private family service with military honors will be held Thursday in Greenwood Mausoleum. Visitation: Friends may be with the family 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Greenwood Funeral Home.</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: small;">Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to ARC of Tarrant County, Cook Children's Medical Center, Golden K's Kiwanis Club or a charity of choice.</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: small;">John was born Dec. 30, 1919, in Mingus to Italian immigrant parents Maggie and Joe Beneventi. He met the love of his life, Anne, when in the fifth grade in Mingus. At age 16, John went off to college at Texas A&amp;M, joining the Aggie Corps and graduating in 1939 with a civil engineering degree. He entered the United States Army as a second lieutenant and joined the paratroopers. John was stationed in Fort Benning, Ga., for training, but he managed to coax a commanding officer to grant him a brief leave of absence to marry his longtime love, Anne, in 1941, on New Year's Eve.</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: small;">John and Anne began their family with three daughters: Nancy, Emily and Jan. When John went off to war, Anne became a single parent to their first daughter, Nancy. John was stationed at various bases throughout the country and it was during this time that he and Anne met some of their dearest lifelong friends. During the war, John rose to the rank of captain and served as company commander of "F" Company, 2nd Infantry, 5th Division. He spent 33 days of continuous combat in Italy and Germany. His military career ended Jan. 20, 1945, when he suffered major combat wounds during the Battle of the Bulge. John received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his valor while serving his country along with numerous other ribbons and medals.</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: small;">After recovering from his war injuries and receiving medical retirement from the Army, John worked for the Corps of Engineers in Fort Worth and finished a distinguished career as an airport engineer with the Federal Aviation Agency. John was the recipient of many awards and achievements during his career and most noteworthy was his part in the design and planning of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: small;">John was a wonderful grandfather and great-grandfather. He was involved in every aspect of his grandchildren's lives. Whether it was a school talent show, football game, cheerleading exhibition, horse show, swim meet or a theater production, Papa (as the kids called him) was there. John appointed himself "reserve carpool driver" for his grandchildren. He enjoyed the laughter of girls and the embarrassment he could dish out when driving the middle school girls' carpool. His love of family was instrumental in the creation of "family night" at their home each week to ensure that everyone spent time together. When his beloved Anne became too ill to cook, John took over so the tradition could continue. Despite the many medals and decorations bestowed on him as a war hero and combat survivor, the title that meant the most to him was his endearing name, Papa.</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: small;">For everyone he touched, Benny was the life of the party, the highest card cut, the point made. Quick witted and always with a good story, he will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, his parents and a grandson, Brad Watkins.</span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size: small;">Survivors: Daughters, Nancy Watkins, Emily Moss and husband, Gary, and Jan Underwood and husband, Joe; granddaughters, Shadden Watkins, Sara Neville and husband, Trey, Erin Glover and husband, Perry, and Chelsea Moss; grandsons, Austin and Anthony Underwood; and great-grandchildren, London, Aden and Hudson.</span><br><span style="font-size: small;">Published in Star-Telegram on September 29, 2009 </span></p>

 
 
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