SANTA FE, N.M.

Ezequiel Benavides, 81, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, after a short illness. He was born April 17, 1929, in Malakoff, Texas, and was one of nine children born to Maria Jesus Benavides and Florencia De Luna.

Ezequiel served in the U.S. Army. After his tour of duty, he obtained his Bachelor of Education degree with a concentration in Spanish from Ohio State University. He then obtained his master’s degree in bilingual education from the University of Wisconsin. He dedicated his life to education and taught in Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin before coming to Santa Fe in 1975. He retired as the director of bilingual education for the state of New Mexico.

He is survived by loving wife, Maria Garcia-Benavides; sons, Daniel (wife Jeanne) and David; and daughters, Maria Elena (husband Larry) and Ruthanne (husband Edward). He is also survived by his stepchildren, Juanita, Frank (wife Bonnie), Cynthia (husband Joe), Jeffrey, Christopher, Mary (husband Michael) and Rafael (wife Laurie). He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Laura.

Ezequiel was laid to rest Friday, Feb. 11, at the Santa Fe National Cemetery surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Contributions made to the Scholastic Fund for Students of Hispanic Descent, P.O. Box 552, Waukesha, WI 53187, in the name of Ezequiel Benavides would be greatly appreciated.

May you forever rest in peace, we love you.