On the morning of March 13, 2016 Hector passed away at Community Hospital in Fresno, CA as a result of complications from a stroke he experienced on February 4, 2016. Hector was 73 years old and was comforted by his family when he passed away.

Hector Benavides was born in Cuidad Guerrero, Tamaulipas in Mexico at 11:30 am on June 21, 1942. He was the first born of Guadalupe & Herlinda Benavides. Hector had three brothers and three sisters. He grew up in Texas and his family eventually moved to the Central Valley in California.

Hector loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter of deer, dove, quail and pheasant. The entire family used to go hunting and camping in the mountains. Hector would cook dinner over the campfire and then he would use any leftovers to make the best breakfast ever the following morning.

On these outings, he taught his kids to use firearms. Hector had a boat that he would take onto the ocean with his family and friends to go deep sea fishing which was another one of his favorite hobbies. He loved being a musician with his own band traveling to the bay area to play. He would drive all night back home and then go to work the next day.

He loved playing the 12-string guitar and the accordion with his band or while gathered outdoors or around the kitchen table. Hector loved to cook. He would grow his own garden of tomatoes, assorted vegetables and spicy chilies that weren't available in the local stores. He canned his own food and would make the best salsa and tamales. His smoked duck and turkey were mouthwatering.

Many a weekend was spent with family and friends around the barbeque – everyone loved to be around Hector enjoying his personality and his music. He would take his family to drag races and go to air shows to watch the Blue Angels. He enjoyed his ham radios and listening to people in Europe.

Hector was self-employed as an Automotive Technician but could fix anything! He would expand his vocabulary by reading a dictionary in the evening.

Hector was preceded in death by his father Guadalupe, his mother Herlinda, his brother Romeo and his sister Mary.

Hector leaves behind his siblings: Robert, Juanita, Yolanda and René - his four children: Ruben, Rachel, Hector Anthony and Andrew Zacharia - his grandchildren: Aaron, Courtney, Rachel, Anthony, Micah and Gabrielle – and his one great-grand child: Grace.