Lavaldis Angel Benkendorfer, 89, of China Spring, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at his residence.
Graveside Service: 2pm Saturday, March 29 at China Spring Cemetery.
No visitation is planned.
“Angel” was born in Hillsboro, TX. After his family moved to Waco, attended Waco Tech High School graduating in 1953.
He met his wife, Lois of 65 years in Waco at Hillcrest Hospital where both she and his mother worked as nurses aides.
He worked at S&H Auto Supply managing several locations in Waco and Dallas until 1978. From there he went on to become the Purchasing Agent at Central Freight Lines. Later in 1995, he went on to Ram Aircraft as the Purchasing Manager there until he retired in 2011 at the age of 74.
He was very active in his local community, serving as the Fire Chief for the China Spring Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Later, he served on the board for the China Spring Community Water corporation.
Angel was a passionate reader and had a deep appreciation for music. He cherished the cookies his wife always baked for him. Since 1964, he has taken pleasure in farming and raising cattle in China Spring.
Angel will always be remembered for his willingness to help others. He touched the lives of so many with his kindness, generosity and entertaining humor. He was a wonderful husband for over 65 years. He was a loving and caring father and a great friend to so many. He always said that “A stranger was just a friend he had not met yet”.
Angel was preceded in death by his daughter, Teresa Talley in 2020; and parents, Hugo and Wilma Benkendorfer.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lois Benkendorfer of China Spring; sons, Curtis Benkendorfer and wife Sabrina of Georgetown, Wade Benkendorfer and wife Tracy of Round Rock; daughter, Kelly Ince and husband George of Bishop; granddaughters, Chloe Benkendorfer and Tess Benkendorfer; grandsons, Braeden Benkendorfer and Colson Benkendorfer; brother, Nicky Benkendorfer and wife Katherine; and other family members.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Place of Service: ,
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Dear Lois and family, Angel was such an important person to my family. Quite often we discuss our Patriarch, Johnny Erwin, and the memories of him and Angel at the store. Angel was always so happy and positive and Lois you are so kind and soft spoken. I’m praying God will wrap you in his comforting arms. Love, Sharon Erwin McNary
Please accept our deepest condolences from everyone here at Bluebonnet Hospice. Sending prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Lois and family I am so sorry for your loss,Angel was a great man.You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.God bless all of you.
So sorry to see this. I always enjoyed my talks with Angel when we were neighbors. My deepest sympathy for all of his family.
Dear Gracious Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving me my Dad, Lord You must really love me because You gave me the best Father ever. Lord, please welcome Him and embrace him. Tell him him I love him so. He will always be in my heart with loving prayers. May he feel my love for him in every single prayer. I know eventually every cowboy has to go. One day we will all ride away. My Father was simply the best. I will always cherish his warm heart and his big loving hugs. I love the sound of his heartwarming laughter and his gentle kindness. He may be gone from my sight, but he will always be in my heart. Dad was a true friend to everyone whether times were good or bad, he was always available to help everyone and he shared everything he had. My father was a blessing to this world. He tried very hard to improve people’s lives whether it was dropping off ice cream to the nursing home anonymously or delivering groceries to shut ins. I remember this as a very small child. He did most of his giving in secret, placing the groceries on the door step, knocking and darting back to his truck. Then hiding down the street so he knew they got them. He was a kind and loving man. His heart was pure gold. I could write a million pages but I’d never be able to express the love and respect I have for my father and all he did to help everyone. His advice was just be a good person, love who you can, help were you can, give what you can. Because you never know what a small act of kindness will do to lift someone’s spirits. I’m hurt but I won’t be sad, because he will send me down the answers and he will always be my Dad. For the rest of my life I will continue honor and cherish my father. He was my best friend and my hero.
We shared a love for reading and enjoyed discussing what we read. For his last birthday he asked for True West magazines. Oh how he loved his cowboy and western stories. I felt so blessed I could find him some.
He loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren with a deep love and gratitude to God that so many long to experience.
I hope everyone knows that every day he and I were in the hospital after his stroke, he prayed for his friends and family. He thanked God for each and every friend and his many many blessings. He cherished you all. In honor of his memory, please show love to others every chance you get.
Love Kelly Benkendorfer Ince
My sincere condolences to the entire family. He and Lois were the greatest neighbors for the many years we lived next door.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Angel was such a special man and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to know him. He was so helpful to Mike on many occasions and was a fine example of a true Christian man.
Please accept my sincere condolences. I worked with Angel at RAM Aircraft. Angel was a great man that would do anything for you. He will be sorely missed.
Proud to have had you as a friend Angel! You were a very special man! Love Robert Martin
Pop was a wonderful man. He was a great Father-in-law who taught me many skills for which I’m eternally grateful. I enjoyed my time spent with him whether we were working or playing. We shared a love of estate sales, garage sales, we shared a love of history and going to museums together. We both loved reading and captivating conversation. We loved going to Canton’s first Monday event. We loved good food and laughter. He was a caring man who treated me with respect and enlightened me about all the little things I could do to make the world a better place. I would have done anything to heal him but I couldn’t. I did the next best thing by sending my wife to stay with him in the hospital. I’ve never seen a man more dedicated to his physical therapy. No matter how much he hurt or tired he was, he never lost his smile or his determination. He was very gracious, thanking every therapist and Dr who helped him. I miss him and my life will be altered without him. I was blessed by God to have Angel as my Father-in law and dear friend for 35 years. It is not good bye, it is I’ll see you later, because we both had a true faith in God.
My deepest sympathy to your family. Prayers for you all🙏🙏
Gilda Whaley
My sincere condolences, what a great man and friend to everyone he met.
I’ll never forget Angel knocking on my door with a pizza, when I was recovering from back surgery. He was alot of fun to be arou
nd at Ram . GREAT MAN!!! Save me some pickled pigs feet!
My Condolences to the Family. Curtis always spoke passionately about you to me that I felt I knew you even though we never met. I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know you through your Son. I pray for You All
Kelly, I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved father. Your tribute to him is so beautifully touching, and I know many of your wonderful characteristics are from him—your love for the Lord, generosity, and kindness just to name a few. I know without a doubt he is proud of you, and I know you will continue his legacy of love. God bless you, sweet friend.
Angel was such a good friend. Frank loved him and always enjoyed their visits together. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.