Benjamin "Ben" Rodriguez Aguirre, 90, of Abilene, left his earthly home to join his Heavenly Father on August 5, 2023, surrounded by family.
Benjamin was born on November 14, 1932, in Coleman, TX, to Irene and Leonardo G. Aguirre. In 1953, he married Amelia Rosales, and they settled in Abilene. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and then continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve 490th Civil Affairs Company where he served for 27 years. In the 1960s and 70s, Benjamin along with his wife served as community leaders, organizers, and activists. They championed economic, social, and political change as staunch supporters of civil rights, fair housing access, voting rights, equal education opportunities, women's rights, and fair labor practices. Collectively, they initiated legal action to gain equal rights locally and nationally. Ben was an electrician by trade and a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), a union of which he remained affiliated to the day of his passing. He worked hard to provide for and sustain his family. Well into his later years, Ben "Grandpa" played an active role in raising both grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike. He is often described as good-natured, kind, hardworking, and charitable. He could never turn down an opportunity to help someone whether they needed a carpenter, mechanic, electrician or chauffeur. Indeed, Benjamin lived a very long and storied life, for which he was very grateful. And for those who loved him, he showed and expressed his care for them. Whenever he heard, "I love you" from family and friends, his playful reply was, "I love you more!" or "I love you to outer space!"
He is survived by his children, Nelli, Susie (wife Jennifer), and Jonathan Aguirre, all of Austin; his granddaughters Andrea Esparza, Yolanda Hicks, Alexandria Garza Hurford (husband David), and Lilli Aguirre; grandson Zacheri Espinoza, sisters Cecilia Germain, Antonia Herrera, Gloria Robertson, and Linda Martinez, and brothers Juan and Ramon Aguirre, and a much cherished nephew, Garrett Pope.
Benjamin is preceded in death by his wife Amelia Aguirre; parents, Leonardo G. Aguirre and Irene Rodriguez Herrera (step-father, Aurelio Herrera); siblings Leon Aguirre, Celia Gonzales, and Irene Aguirre; three sons, Andrés Aguirre, Cary Lynn Aguirre, and Benjamin L. Aguirre; and granddaughter, Erica Esparza Whitley.
Services will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, Texas. A viewing will begin from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. A Prayer and Remembrance Service will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by interment in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories.
Benjamin was born on November 14, 1932, in Coleman, TX, to Irene and Leonardo G. Aguirre. In 1953, he married Amelia Rosales, and they settled in Abilene. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and then continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve 490th Civil Affairs Company where he served for 27 years. In the 1960s and 70s, Benjamin along with his wife served as community leaders, organizers, and activists. They championed economic, social, and political change as staunch supporters of civil rights, fair housing access, voting rights, equal education opportunities, women's rights, and fair labor practices. Collectively, they initiated legal action to gain equal rights locally and nationally. Ben was an electrician by trade and a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), a union of which he remained affiliated to the day of his passing. He worked hard to provide for and sustain his family. Well into his later years, Ben "Grandpa" played an active role in raising both grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike. He is often described as good-natured, kind, hardworking, and charitable. He could never turn down an opportunity to help someone whether they needed a carpenter, mechanic, electrician or chauffeur. Indeed, Benjamin lived a very long and storied life, for which he was very grateful. And for those who loved him, he showed and expressed his care for them. Whenever he heard, "I love you" from family and friends, his playful reply was, "I love you more!" or "I love you to outer space!"
He is survived by his children, Nelli, Susie (wife Jennifer), and Jonathan Aguirre, all of Austin; his granddaughters Andrea Esparza, Yolanda Hicks, Alexandria Garza Hurford (husband David), and Lilli Aguirre; grandson Zacheri Espinoza, sisters Cecilia Germain, Antonia Herrera, Gloria Robertson, and Linda Martinez, and brothers Juan and Ramon Aguirre, and a much cherished nephew, Garrett Pope.
Benjamin is preceded in death by his wife Amelia Aguirre; parents, Leonardo G. Aguirre and Irene Rodriguez Herrera (step-father, Aurelio Herrera); siblings Leon Aguirre, Celia Gonzales, and Irene Aguirre; three sons, Andrés Aguirre, Cary Lynn Aguirre, and Benjamin L. Aguirre; and granddaughter, Erica Esparza Whitley.
Services will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, Texas. A viewing will begin from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. A Prayer and Remembrance Service will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by interment in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories.
Benjamin "Ben" Rodriguez Aguirre, 90, of Abilene, left his earthly home to join his Heavenly Father on August 5, 2023, surrounded by family.
Benjamin was born on November 14, 1932, in Coleman, TX, to Irene and Leonardo G. Aguirre. In 1953, he married Amelia Rosales, and they settled in Abilene. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and then continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve 490th Civil Affairs Company where he served for 27 years. In the 1960s and 70s, Benjamin along with his wife served as community leaders, organizers, and activists. They championed economic, social, and political change as staunch supporters of civil rights, fair housing access, voting rights, equal education opportunities, women's rights, and fair labor practices. Collectively, they initiated legal action to gain equal rights locally and nationally. Ben was an electrician by trade and a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), a union of which he remained affiliated to the day of his passing. He worked hard to provide for and sustain his family. Well into his later years, Ben "Grandpa" played an active role in raising both grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike. He is often described as good-natured, kind, hardworking, and charitable. He could never turn down an opportunity to help someone whether they needed a carpenter, mechanic, electrician or chauffeur. Indeed, Benjamin lived a very long and storied life, for which he was very grateful. And for those who loved him, he showed and expressed his care for them. Whenever he heard, "I love you" from family and friends, his playful reply was, "I love you more!" or "I love you to outer space!"
He is survived by his children, Nelli, Susie (wife Jennifer), and Jonathan Aguirre, all of Austin; his granddaughters Andrea Esparza, Yolanda Hicks, Alexandria Garza Hurford (husband David), and Lilli Aguirre; grandson Zacheri Espinoza, sisters Cecilia Germain, Antonia Herrera, Gloria Robertson, and Linda Martinez, and brothers Juan and Ramon Aguirre, and a much cherished nephew, Garrett Pope.
Benjamin is preceded in death by his wife Amelia Aguirre; parents, Leonardo G. Aguirre and Irene Rodriguez Herrera (step-father, Aurelio Herrera); siblings Leon Aguirre, Celia Gonzales, and Irene Aguirre; three sons, Andrés Aguirre, Cary Lynn Aguirre, and Benjamin L. Aguirre; and granddaughter, Erica Esparza Whitley.
Services will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, Texas. A viewing will begin from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. A Prayer and Remembrance Service will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by interment in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories.
Benjamin was born on November 14, 1932, in Coleman, TX, to Irene and Leonardo G. Aguirre. In 1953, he married Amelia Rosales, and they settled in Abilene. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and then continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve 490th Civil Affairs Company where he served for 27 years. In the 1960s and 70s, Benjamin along with his wife served as community leaders, organizers, and activists. They championed economic, social, and political change as staunch supporters of civil rights, fair housing access, voting rights, equal education opportunities, women's rights, and fair labor practices. Collectively, they initiated legal action to gain equal rights locally and nationally. Ben was an electrician by trade and a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), a union of which he remained affiliated to the day of his passing. He worked hard to provide for and sustain his family. Well into his later years, Ben "Grandpa" played an active role in raising both grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike. He is often described as good-natured, kind, hardworking, and charitable. He could never turn down an opportunity to help someone whether they needed a carpenter, mechanic, electrician or chauffeur. Indeed, Benjamin lived a very long and storied life, for which he was very grateful. And for those who loved him, he showed and expressed his care for them. Whenever he heard, "I love you" from family and friends, his playful reply was, "I love you more!" or "I love you to outer space!"
He is survived by his children, Nelli, Susie (wife Jennifer), and Jonathan Aguirre, all of Austin; his granddaughters Andrea Esparza, Yolanda Hicks, Alexandria Garza Hurford (husband David), and Lilli Aguirre; grandson Zacheri Espinoza, sisters Cecilia Germain, Antonia Herrera, Gloria Robertson, and Linda Martinez, and brothers Juan and Ramon Aguirre, and a much cherished nephew, Garrett Pope.
Benjamin is preceded in death by his wife Amelia Aguirre; parents, Leonardo G. Aguirre and Irene Rodriguez Herrera (step-father, Aurelio Herrera); siblings Leon Aguirre, Celia Gonzales, and Irene Aguirre; three sons, Andrés Aguirre, Cary Lynn Aguirre, and Benjamin L. Aguirre; and granddaughter, Erica Esparza Whitley.
Services will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, Texas. A viewing will begin from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. A Prayer and Remembrance Service will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by interment in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories.
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