Bennie Louis Kainer, age 89, of Portland, Texas passed away on February 21, 2024.

Bennie was born in El Campo, Texas to Milton and Clara Kainer. He graduated from St. Edwards High School in Austin, Texas. Bennie spent his youth working with his father on their family farm and also played baseball for the Double-A St. Louis Cardinals farm team for a short period of time. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959 and after a long career, retired from Celanese Chemical Company in Bay City, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his father Milton Kainer, mothers Clara Prause Kainer and Regina Rolf Kainer of El Campo, Texas, in-laws J.R. Davis and Emily Ann Davis of Bay City, Texas, and brothers-in-law Alvin Mock and Cowboy Mehrens.

Bennie is survived by his wife of 38 years, Melanie Sue Kainer, and children Brian Nance, Kelly (Bryan) Bjork, Kevin (Haley) Kainer, Kody (Taylor) Kainer, Kade Kainer and Kaleb Kainer. He is also survived by his sisters Margaret Mock, Barbara (Don) Green, and Nancy Mehrens, sisters and brothers in-law Marsha and Tommy Buller, Jan and Alvin Kocurek. Bennie had eleven grandchildren: Sera Nance, Joshua Rodriguez, Brady Bjork, Teagan Kainer, Emily Kainer, Brooklyn Kainer, Layney Kainer, Maverick Kainer, Jazzy Kainer, Nefertiti Rodriguez, and Kaliyah Kainer.  He had two great-grandchildren: Kaiden Nance and Layna Rodriguez, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Bennie's passions in life were food, baseball, and golf. He and his son Kevin had plans to play golf on his 90th birthday. That goal kept him pushing and fighting for many years. Aside from sports and food, Bennie loved to live life, and he lived it big! Bennie was a perfect mix of loud, blunt, goofy, and funny…but most of all, he was an amazing father to his children. He coached both his sons' and daughter's baseball and softball teams. Everything he did was centered on his family.   His children could always count on him when they needed him. In addition to the connections with his children, Bennie had a special relationship with each of his grandchildren, and those memories will remain in their hearts forever.

The one thing that Bennie loved more than life itself was his wife, Melanie. They had an old fashioned, once in a lifetime kind of love. There was a moment during Bennie's last days that will forever be engrained in our minds.  Melanie walked into the room and his face lit up, he smiled a huge smile and said "Hi, Sweetie Pie." You could literally feel the love in the room.  They spent every single day together and enjoyed taking rides, fishing, eating out at restaurants; simply enjoying each other's company.  Bennie lived for his wife and his desire to never leave her side is what kept him going until the Lord called him home.

The family would like to send their gratitude to PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Corpus Christi, Texas.  The entire team was like a second family to Bennie, and he loved them all very much.

The family would also like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Harbor Hospice in Portland, Texas for providing personal comfort and care to Bennie.

Pallbearers:  Brian Nance, Clint Kocurek, Kevin Kainer, Kody Kainer, Kade Kainer, Kaleb Kainer and Joshua Rodriguez.  Honorary pallbearer: Brady Bjork

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 IH 37 Access Rd. where Bennie will be laid to rest with Full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bennie's honor to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; one of his favorite organizations to donate to.