The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Mark Gerard Benoit, 55, from Waller, Texas, formerly from Orangefield, has ascended to Heaven from family and friends on Sept. 26, to be with his Lord and Savior.

Mark was an Orangefield High School graduate, class of 1977. Mark lived in Waller, for the last 30 years. Mark was a loyal and caring man; he spent two years with Orange County Drainage District, followed by five years at Orange Memorial Hospital. After moving to Waller, he worked at Tennwood Country Club for 10 years as a maintenance mechanic. Mark also was a firefighter for the Waller Volunteer Fire Department from 1984 – 2001.

He spent many years toiling in the hayfield, always willing to help where ever needed.

Mark spent 19 years working for Bettis Actuators, Valves and Controls in Waller, until they closed.

He then spent the past two years at United Salt Corporation.

Mark loved spending his time outdoors and working with his hands.

He was an avid fisherman, hunter, carpenter, gardener and an excellent craftsman, spending hours restoring antiques.

Mark could always be found in his shop tinkering with knickknacks, lawnmowers, toys, anything he could get his hands on.

Mark was known for his friendliness and charisma; he never met a stranger.

He loved to tell his Cajun stories, for which he will be missed.

Mark loved to spend time with his family and friends, sharing his one-of-a-kind brisket and love for black and white movies, especially anything with John Wayne.

Mark was known as a gentle giant.

He was a very loving husband and father.

He adored his grandchildren.

He looked forward to having coffee with his wife.

Mark is preceded in death by his brother, Ricky Dale Joseph Benoit; niece Sommer MiChelé Burke; grandparents, W.A. and Jeanne Benoit and T.J. and Lucy Dee Smith; godmother and aunt, Rose Benoit; godfather, Charles Morvant; two cousins, Randy and Jerry Martin; and uncles, Jack E. E. Smith, Thomas “Tick” Granger, Curtis Benoit, Butch Croak and Billy Ray Martin; grandparents in law, Paul and Linnie Brown and John and Helen Campbell, Sr .; and his wife’s aunt and uncle Pauline and Calvin Roberts.

Mark is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barbara Brown Benoit; sons, Richard Clay Benoit and wife Larissa, and Markus Wayne Benoit and wife Christine; daughter Jeana Linneé DeLaney and husband Jason, of Waller; grandchildren, Tylor Hargrave, Sophia Benoit and Gavin DeLaney; parents, L.J. “Blackie” and Martha Benoit, of Orangefield, father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Beverly Brown of McLewis Community; siblings, Yvonne and David Fisher, Geralyn and Les Ochsner, Matt and Jeanne Benoit, Theresa Kay and Paul Burk; and sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Pete Quast, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held to honor Mark’s life at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, Oct. 2, at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Orangefield. Officiating will be Father George Kindagen, pastor of the church. Rite of Christian burial will follow the Mass where he will be laid to rest at the Dorman Cemetery in the McLewis community in Orange.

A gathering of Mark’s family and friends for a time of reflection will be from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, with an additional Mass to be held at 6:30 and a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M.

In addition a memorial service will be held Saturday Oct. 4, at the Waller Junior High School auditorium, in Waller, at 2:00 pm.

Honoring Mark as Pallbearers are Richard Benoit, Markus Benoit, Jason DeLaney, Matt Benoit, Pete Quast, Jackie Smith, Stephan Granger and Rolan Hillman. Honorary pallbearers are Tylor Hargrave, Gavin DeLaney, David Fisher, Paul Burk, Les Ochsner, Jason Ochsner, Kyle Fisher, Mike Chesson, Matthew Dale Benoit, Cory Benoit, Seth Quast, Aaron Welch, Eric Chesson, Daniel Chesson, Reed Galloway, Austin Chesson, Tanner Steele, Drake Welch, C.J. Benoit, A.J. James, Lee Alexander, Robert Eckerman, Marvin Wishkoski, Steven Kaminski, Bobby Krueger, Bob Joyner, and members of the Waller Volunteer Fire Department.

Memorial contributions can be made to Waller Volunteer Fire Department, Post Office Box 1574, Waller, Texas 77484-1574, or St. Helen’s Rosary Garden, 8105 FM 1442, Orange, Texas 77630-8197.

Services are under the direction of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange. Condolences may be expressed for the family at www.dormanfuneralhome.com.