Rumaldo Kevin "Ronnie" Benavidez

Rumaldo "Ronnie" Kevin Benavidez, beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 2, 2020. He passed away at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM, at the age of 53.



Ronnie was born on March 25, 1967 in Canutillo, Texas to Antonio Benavidez and Lorenza Ruiz Benavidez. He graduated from Gadsden High School in 1985 as a proud Gadsden Panther. Ronnie grew up to be a fun-loving and lively individual with a witty and side-splitting sense of humor. He loved to dance and often dressed up in his cowboy hat, jeans and boots and headed to the dance floor where he mesmerized those around him with his dance moves, greens eyes and good looks. As an adventurous adult, Ronnie lived in multiple areas including Las Cruces, Las Vegas and California, but Chamberino, NM was home.



After high school, Ronnie worked jobs in the baking industry. He gained experience and blossomed in ingenuity and in time opened his own bakery, Tommy's Cake Shop, in Las Cruces, NM. He eventually expanded operations to include a restaurant and catering business. He excelled in making beautiful wedding cakes and sculpted cakes. He competed in cake decorating and received many accolades. Always looking to broaden his skills and grow his business, Ronnie took classes in Albuquerque, NM and shared his vast skills as a baker and cake decorator to teach others at his Las Cruces bakery. He will be remembered for his decorating and creativity.



Ronnie was preceded in death by his father Antonio (Tony) Benavidez, his brother Tony Benavidez Jr. (the first who died as an infant), his brother Tony "Chito" Benavidez, Jr. and his sister Irma Alvarado. He is survived by his mother Lorenza Ruiz Benavidez of Chamberino, NM; his sister Norma Benavidez of Chamberino, NM; his brother Geronimo "Jerry" Benavidez of Chamberino, NM; his sister Olga Torres of Las Cruces, NM; his sister Eva Hinojosa (Tito) of Las Cruces, NM; his sister Alice Valles of Albuquerque, NM (Max); his brother Roberto "Bobby" Benavidez of Las Cruces, NM; his sister Irene Rodela of El Paso, TX (Art). Ronnie was the youngest of 11 children.



He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews: Passion MiShay Benavidez, Robert Tellez; Arturo Alvarado, Jr., Lisa Alvarado; Jessica Torres, George Torres, II; Jessica Miranda; Amanda Benavidez, Jerry Benavidez, Jr.; Max Valles, Jr., Marc Valles; A.J. Rodela, Joseph Rodela; Christopher Benavidez and Chloe Benavidez. He is also survived by many great nieces and great nephews.



"We love you. Mom adores you. You are in our hearts always. We will miss your sense of humor and your laugh."



No public funeral services are planned (under the circumstances) but well wishes and expressions of love are welcomed on the Getz Funeral Home website.