Benito Carmona Jr.

Benito Carmona, Jr., beloved husband, father, and Poppy departed this world and entered his Heavenly home on Monday, May 13th, 2024. Benito was born September 21st, 1948, in Donna, Texas. His family relocated to Terrell when he was six years old, and at the time was only one of two Hispanic families in Terrell. He attended Terrell ISD schools through graduation. In high school, he played full-back and offensive lineman for the Terrell Tiger football team and received All-District Honorable Mention as a sophomore and a junior. “Terrell never had a tougher ball carrier than him.” – Mose Martin. October 1968 Benito enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served until August of 1972. He was stationed in Thailand at Takhli Air Force Base, and spent his last year in the service at Yubon Air Force Base. Benito and Margaret met each other at the Terrell State Hospital, where they both worked and began dating before he went overseas. During his time abroad they wrote letters and were then married on August 18th, 1972, 11 days after he returned home, and were happily married for 52 years. The majority of his professional life was spent serving as a probation officer for Kaufman County, where he retired in 2014 as the Director. He was gifted with the ability to listen and help others. He was admired and respected by all who were fortunate enough to work with him, many of whom remained dear friends for the remainder of his life. Benito played an active role in the Terrell community and was widely known around town. He was a member of the Terrell Kiwanis Club, served on the Terrell ISD school board, the Vestry of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Terrell, where he was a faithful member for 35 years. Benito loved to play golf, and after retirement could often be found on the golf course. Of all the roles Benito played, being Poppy to his four grandchildren was indisputably his favorite. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Benito and Maria Carmona, sister Alicia Carmona Morales, and infant brother, Christopher Carmona. Benito leaves his legacy of love to be carried on by his beloved wife, Margaret, daughter and son-in-law Meredith and Clay Dodgen of Heath and daughter and son-in-law Ashley and Justin Fivecoat of Terrell, as well as his grandchildren: Cambrie, Brooks, Elam, and Emery. He is also survived by his brothers: Fernando Carmona, David Carmona, and Rick Carmona, and sisters, Anita Cruz, Aurora Barrientos, Eva Hernandez, and Sylvia Garcia, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be at 10:00am, Monday, May 20, 2024 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Terrell with interment to follow at Highland Memorial Garden. His family will receive friends 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Sunday, May 19, at Max Slayton Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at https://www.gsterrell.org/give74 or to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org.

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Benito Carmona Jr.

September 21, 1948 - May 13, 2024