James Mearl Benefiel

JAMES MEARL BENEFIEL

 Linguist, librarian, scholar, doctor of philosophy, Christian Brother, Army veteran, teacher, opera connoisseur, model of elegance and gentility, wise counselor, incomparable friend.

 James Benefiel, age 90, longtime resident of Tesuque, New Mexico, was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, on May 10, 1929, to James Benefiel and Winifred Rush Benefiel.  Jim (“Diego”) died peacefully of natural causes in Santa Fe, on April 20, 2020.

 Mr. Benefiel is survived by his sister Barbara Elder and her husband Fred Elder of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a host of friends and colleagues.

Burial was in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe.  No services are planned, per Mr. Benefiel’s wishes.