Carlos Castillo Benavides "Grandpa Chucks"

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, nephew, and friend, went to be home with this Heavenly Father on March 11, 2024. He was 77 years old.

Carlos was born on September 8, 1946, in LaCoste Texas, to the late Ramon and Celia Castillo Benavides. He married Mary Ann Villareal on February 6, 1967; she predeceased him on December 20, 2021. Carlos was born from a family of musicians. He along with his brothers formed a Mexican Band known as "Los Brilliantes del Norte" back in 1973, where he played the guitar and bajo sexto. Carlos loved music.  He worked at GM, retiring after 30 years of service. He also traveled to Mexico for GM to train other automotive workers at the GM plants in Mexico. He was also previously employed at Agrico Fertilizer Plant for several years. He moved to Texas in 1982 where he worked at Tom Light Chevrolet as a mechanic, later relocating back to Michigan. Carlos was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. He loved his low rider car and was a retired member of the "Low 4 Life Car Club of Saginaw, MI."  Carlos was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, now known as St. Francis of Assisi Parish, where he became a member of the "Cursillo" in 1976. He will be remembered as a very generous man, loving yet stern. Carlos was respectful, honest, loyal and the best dad and grandpa. Carlos was a devoted husband and father and was the Honorary neighborhood Dad and Grandpa, affectionately referred to as "Popps" or "Grandpa Chucks."

Carlos is survived by his 5 children: Teresa (Freddie Garza) Benavides, Richard Benavides, Mario (Lisa Chacon) Benavides, John (Maria Vasquez) Benavides, and Steven Benavides. Carlos has 25 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 8 siblings: Rudy Benavides, Joe (Ernestine) Benavides, Ramon Benavides Jr, Frank "Wimpy" (Elsa) Benavides, Sally Benavides, Roy Benavides, Martha (Michael) Reyes, Henry (Patty) Benavides; siblings-in-law: Hope Benavides, Lily Benavides, Nancy Perez, Simona (Remedios) Orsonio, Beatrice Villareal, Frank (Paula) Villareal, Rose Corr and Sherrie Fields; special nephews: Jack J. Villareal, Peter Benavides, David Benavides and Alvin Benavides; Goddaughters: Juanita Vasquez Avila and Desiree Benavides; Godson: Joaquin Villareal; best friend and brother John Bosquez; good friends: Richard Torrez, Joe Vasquez, Rick Smith, Daniel Cervantes Sr, Howard Hart Jr, Joe Perez, Roger Aguilar, Andy Torrez, Rudy Levario Sr, and Blas Salas; neighborhood sons: Mark Najar, Ray Cerda, Steven Mitchell, Santino Holnagel, Alfredo Garza, Joe Verdusco Jr, Frank Smith, Frank Holnagel, and Bobby McKinnely; compadres and comadres: Jesse and Liz Villareal, Daniel and Rebecca Cervantes, Joe and Alice Vasquez, Jose and Graciela Favela; special uncle Isidro Duran and special cousins: Richard and Martha Villareal, Jesse and Liz Villareal, and the Hernandez family. 

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ann Benavides, siblings: Pete Benavides, Maria Alvarado, Marcos Benavides, Gus Benavides, Louis Benavides, Juanita Benavides; sisters-in-law: Jean Benavides, Ida Benavides, Margaret Villareal, Rosie Benavides, and Angie Benavides; father and mother-in-law: John H. and Helen Villareal; brothers-in-law: Bonifacio Villareal, Jose Alvarado, John Villareal Jr, and Tony Villareal; son-in-law Carlos J. Rosas Sr; also good friends Howard Hart Sr, Howard Felske, Reymundo Martinez Sr; cousin Paul Fierros; neighborhood sons: Richard Saldana and Duane Brown; compadre and comadre Reymundo and Maria Martinez. 

Funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 22, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 910 N. 6th Ave. Saginaw, MI 48601. Rev. Fr. Frank W. Voris, OFM Cap will officiate with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Friends and family will be received from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at W.L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603, as well as at the church Friday morning from 10:00 am until the time of Mass. Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family c/o Teresa Benavides. Online condolences can be made at www.casefuneralhome.com