Loveless Joseph “Blackie” Benoit
Blackie Benoit, 90, of Orangefield, Texas, passed away on March 7, 2017, at his home surrounded by family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday March 11, 2017, at St. Helen Catholic Church in Orangefield. Officiating will be Father Dan Malain. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Franklin, Louisiana, on August 6, 1926, he was the son of Wallace Arthur Benoit and Jeanne Marie (Molaison) Benoit. The family moved to Orangefield, Texas in 1927. After graduating from Orangefield High School, Blackie worked for his dad, Wallace “Ben” Benoit in the oilfield in Orangefield. In 1945, Blackie joined the United States Army and served in the Pacific Theater for 2 years. Returning to Orangefield after the Army he continued to work in the oilfield. In 1948, Blackie started working for E.I. DuPont Sabine River Works. In 1950, Blackie transferred to the ethylene unit at DuPont where he remained until his retirement in 1984 after 36 years of service.

Daddy was a very loving and kind, but firm man to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild. He expected you to be hard working, loving, and respectful. He liked for everything to have a place and if you used an item it better be put back where you found it. He was a true environmentalist before it was promoted by our government. He always reused, recycled, and repurposed everything. You could find him most of the time outside tinkering at his bench. He always had an idea of how to fix something if you had something that needed repairing. He had a green thumb and loved all of nature and its beauty.

We will miss his famous Blackie banana nut bread, fruit salad, ice box fruit cake, and his wonderful meat marinade. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. He was always ready to give a helping hand. He worked many years helping build St. Helen Catholic Church. He worked all of the fund raising bazaars, managed the counting team, and worked on the present St. Helen Catholic Church. Daddy was a lifelong member of St. Helen Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Martha Sue “Blondie” Benoit; his parents; sons, Ricky Dale Joseph Benoit, Mark Gerard Benoit; granddaughter, Sommer MiChele Burk; son-in-law, Paul Wayne Burk; sisters, Rosa Mae Benoit, Iva Dell James; brothers-in-law, Jack Smith, Curtis Benoit, Thomas “Tick” Granger, Billy Ray Martin, and Ivan “Butch” Croak; and sisters-in-law, Myrt Benoit and Sarah Granger.

Blackie is survived by his children, Yvonne Fisher and husband David, of Orangefield, Geralyn Benoit, of Orangefield, Matt Benoit and wife Jeanne, of Mauriceville, Teresa Kay Burk, of Orange; special sister to Benoit kids, Helen Mott Holmes; daughter-in-law, Barbara Benoit, of Florida; brother, C.J. “Charlie” Benoit, of Orangefield; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Martin, of Amarillo, Betty Ann Croak, of Vidor, and Elva Jean Smith, of Waller; brother-in-law, A.J. “Curly” James, of Orange; grandchildren, DeeAnna Chesson and husband Mike, Kyle Fisher and wife Karen, Jason Ochsner and wife Amy, Heather Prince and husband Matt, Amber Allen and husband Chris, Ricky Benoit and wife Larissa, Markus Benoit and wife Christine, Jeana DeLaney and husband Jason, Matthew Dale Benoit, Cory Benoit, and Shelley Burk Bagley; great-grandchildren, Ariel, Eric, Daniel, and Austin Chesson, Morgan and Maggie Mae Fisher, Katelyn and Tanner Steele, Reed Galloway, Tylor Hargrave, Sophia and Elijah Gerard Benoit, Gavin Allen DeLaney, Shalyn Bagley, and Hannah Clare Benoit; and his great-great-granddaughter, Emersyn Rae Keating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Matt Benoit, David Fisher, Kyle Fisher, Jason Ochsner, Matthew Dale Benoit, Cory Benoit, Ricky Benoit, and Markus Benoit.

Honorary pallbearers are C.J. “Charlie” Benoit, A.J. “Curly” James, Mike Chesson, Jason DeLaney, and Mike Benoit.

Fly high Daddy!