Posted by Terry Powers on January 17, 2023:

MAURICE M. BENITEZ 1949 Cullum No. 17116-1949 | February 27, 2014 | Died in Austin, TX Cremated. Interred in St. John's Episcopal Church, Houston, TX For Maurice Manuel Benitez or 'Ben,' duty and joy complemented one another. As the son of a career Army officer, as a West Point graduate in the Class of 1949, as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and ultimately as priest and bishop of the Episcopal Church; Ben was always faithful to duty's expectations while finding great joy in the life and service to which he was called. Born in Washington, DC on January 23, 1928, he was the son of Colonel Enrique M. Benitez and Blossom Compton Benitez. His early years were spent on posts in Virginia, Kansas, the Canal Zone and then in Washington, DC where his father served in the War Department. Family legends suggest that military deportment was an acquired virtue and not an innate characteristic. His boyhood years produced a store of exploits, none of which were dishonorable, but some of which demanded explanation. When he was summoned to explain some incident to a post commanding officer, Ben's parents told him always to say, "Yes, sir," and then to tell the truth. That advice served him well and lasted his entire life. The afternoon of December 7, 1941 found him with his father attending the football game between the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles. A stream of announcements over the P.A. system summoned various government officials to report to their offices. Colonel Benitez gave Ben money to get to their apartment, while he headed to the War Department, not to return home for two days. Upon completion of his secondary education at the Columbian Preparatory School in Washington, DC, Ben followed his older brother Henry to West Point (Class of 1942). Henry lost his life in air action over France on August 13, 1944. Ben's quiet, lifelong pride in his brother was part of his inspiration at West Point. Of his Academy years the Howitzer reported, "Ben would have spent his entire cadet career astride his favorite jumper, dismounting only to shoot eighteen holes of golf." Still, he did not neglect his studies, concentrating on those things which would eventually earn him a commission in the Air Force. Upon graduating, he went to flight school in Texas, where not only did he earn his pilot's wings but, more important, he met Joanne Dossett, who became his wife in 1949. They were married for 63 years until her death in 2012. While in the Air Force, Ben served for three years as a pilot in the 527th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. His first assignment was at Williams Air Force Base (AFB), Chandler, AZ. He was then stationed in Munich during the tense days of the Cold War. Returning stateside, he served for two years as a test pilot at the Air Force Proving Ground, Eglin AFB in Fort Walton, FL. His life moved in a new direction in 1955 when he decided to prepare for ordination in the Episcopal Church. He entered St. Luke's School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN and eventually returned to Florida to serve parishes in Lake City, Jacksonville and Ocala. During his Florida tour he combined courage and goodwill in facing the turbulent challenges which roiled the Nation in those years. In 1968 he moved to San Antonio, TX and in 1974 to Houston, TX. His leadership and outstanding service were recognized by Sewanee when it awarded him an honorary degree at its 1973 commencement. On September 13, 1980 he was consecrated sixth Bishop of Texas, becoming the first West Point graduate to serve as an Episcopal Bishop since Leonidas Polk (Class of 1827). During his episcopate Ben was a leader in establishing new congregations, raising the level of giving in his diocese and serving on the boards of various medical institutions associated with his diocese. He was elected for two terms on the board of the Episcopal Church Pension Fund, one of the largest such entities in the country. Nowhere was his leadership more apparent than in the effort to establish Episcopal High School in Houston. At just the time the economy of Texas was suffering an oil recession, Ben inspired and spearheaded campaigns which raised over 20 million dollars for the new school. Speaking of the last lap of the school's development, Ben cited an old Air Force expression: "We were fresh out of air speed, altitude and ideas." But with his encouragement the final amounts were raised, and the school now boasts almost 700 students in grades 9 through 12. At the direction of a major donor, the chapel at the school was named in honor of Bishop and Mrs. Benitez. Ben retired as Bishop in 1995 and spent the last years of his life in Austin, TX. A poignant measure of his deep loyalty to West Point came just after the 2012 Army-Navy Game, which he had flown from Texas to see. Within minutes of the final gun he stated, "We;re soon going to win this game, and I mean to be there to see us do it." That optimistic, determined attitude was characteristic of the way he approached many things in life, and why so often he was able to find joy in doing his duty. Bishop Benitez is survived by his three daughters and six grandsons.

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