Luciano "Chano" Lopez Benavidez entered eternal rest on July 31, 2024, at the age of eighty-nine years old surrounded by his loving family.

Chano was born in Cotulla, Texas on March 2, 1935, to Jose and Hilaria Benavidez. He was one of seven children. He grew up in Cotulla before moving to San Antonio, Texas as a young man.   He was always proud to say he was raised in "la vecindad" (Guadalupe Street on the Westside of San Antonio) and bragged about attending Lanier High School.

He proudly served our country from 1956 to 1962 as an airplane traffic controller for the United States Air Force. Chano worked in multiple capacities upon leaving the military; however, the most notable was his passion for making donuts while working at The Original Donut Shop. In addition, he worked as a machinist at Kelly AFB until its closure and retired from Standard Aero in 2008.

During his free time, he dedicated his life to his family and to his love of pool. Chano was a master pool player.  He competed among the best in San Antonio and the surrounding cities. The last few years, he practiced at the Southside Lions Senior Center, watched countless of hours of pool competitions on television, and up to his very last days believed he had competed against Efren Reyes.

Chano was a man of faith. He raised his family in the Catholic Church and was an active parishioner of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Micaela Benavidez, his children - Valerie Baez (Jose Baez), Patricia Esparza (Javier Esparza), and Daniel Benavidez. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Diana Campos, and sons, Luciano Benavidez, Jr., and Joe John Benavidez (surviving spouse-Sherrie Benavidez).

Chano or best known as "Grandpa/Ampo" was extremely proud that his legacy will continue with his fifteen grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will begin on Monday, August 19th at 5:00pm with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00pm at the Angelus Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, August 20th at 9:30am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.