Benito G Guerra

Benito "Benny" Guerra passed away on August 5, 2024 after a year-long battle with bladder cancer at the age of 71. Benny will be remembered as a kind, gentle-hearted soul who loved his family and community with all his heart.

Benny was born and raised in Kingsville, Texas as the second youngest of seven children. In his younger years, he worked as a bartender, drove cars for a car dealership, and played in a band. He began working for KISD in 1979 and shortly after started taking pictures of weddings and other events. He devoted 31 years of service to KISD before retiring, with his last job being with the Media Technology program at H. M. King High School. After retiring he continued to take pictures and film events around the community.

Photography played such a major role in Benny's life, allowing him to build lifelong connections with members of the community. It was impossible to go anywhere in town without him running into at least one person he knew! He was constantly surrounded by love and happiness, capturing memories of people's most joyous moments for over 40 years. 

Benny's cancer diagnosis in August of 2023 did not discourage him. He remained his positive self until his last breath.

It is difficult to sum up a lifetime of memories in a single sentence, but this saying encapsulates Benny's personality perfectly and is a quote we should all live by. When asked "What did you want to be when you grew up?", he replied "I never grew up".

Benny is preceded in death by his parents Santiago Guerra, Sr. and Corina Garza Guerra and his brothers, Hector Guerra, Roberto "Bobby" Guerra, and Santiago "Jimmy" Guerra, Jr.

He is survived by his wife Sara Guerra; his children, Benito (Leyla) Guerra, Jr. and Marina (Martin) Covarrubias; his granddaughter, Lenora Covarrubias and his siblings, Maria "Micky" Ramos, Jose "Joe" Guerra, and Diana (Juan) Ortiz.

Pallbearers: Benito Guerra, Jr., Martin Covarrubias Jr., Johnny Guerra, Raul Ramos, Rodolfo Trevino, and Micah Trevino

A public visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2024 at the KC Hall on 14th Street, Kingsville, TX with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 12, 2024 at St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church, 1120 S. 8th Street, Kingsville, TX. An Interment will take place immediately following the mass at Resthaven Cemetery. As Benny would say, thank you for being a friend.