Gypsy Black Rocker Rene
2010/02/22 10:19 Filed in: Personal & Philosophy
Rene was a larger-than-life figure, a true icon, a man whose extreme integrity and strength of character was channeled through his soft-spoken manner. He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends and to the patch that he wore for nearly forty years. Rene is survived by his immediate family, his wife, Mary Ann, his father, his brother, six children and fifteen grandchildren, his father and twelve brothers and sisters. Family was very important to Rene and the Gypsy Motorcycle Club was an extension of his immediate family.
Rene first met the Gypsys when he was still in High School. He visited the original Gypsy clubhouse in Corpus Christi’s North Beach where he met Gypsy President, Papa Jack Simerly. Papa Jack and Rene became immediate friends. Rene, like so many early Gypsys, identified with Papa Jack as a mentor and a father figure. When Rene first approached Papa Jack about becoming a Gypsy, Pop encouraged him to first join the military and then, when he returned home, he could join the club. Rene did just that, he spent four years of active duty in the Air Force during the Viet Nam era. He returned to Corpus Christi after he was discharged and, in November 1970, became a member of the “Mother Chapter” in Corpus Christi. Rene joined the club as a “white rocker”.
During the next forty years Rene would wear white rockers, as a member of the Corpus Christi Chapter, both black and red rockers, as the International Vice President and President of the Board and (mostly) black rockers as a retired Lifer. Papa Jack valued Rene’s involvement in the Gypsy Motorcycle Club so much that he refused to acknowledge Rene’s retirement. Even in retirement, Rene acknowledged Pop’s bias by not wearing a “Lifer” patch.
In 1970 the Gypsy MC had chapters only in the Corpus Christi area but Papa Jack, Rene and the early members of the club soon staged for growth in other Texas cities. By 1972 chapters had been established in Dallas and San Antonio and even in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Papa Jack established his own chapter, the Black Rockers, in 1972 and Rene became the first International Vice President. Rene became Papa Jack’s number two man in the club and, as the club continued to grow, Rene supported the agenda that he and Papa Jack developed. Gypsy chapters were next established in Oklahoma, Del Rio, Beaumont, Houston and Austin. Rene took his position in the club seriously and followed Papa Jack’s directions when chapters and members needed “straightening” out. Rene, with the help of Taco, Mac and other Black Rockers terminated memberships and even shut down chapters that got out of control over the years.
By the 1980’s the club had chapters throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico. Chapters were soon established in Germany, Louisiana, New Mexico and even in Southern California. Papa Jack made his first attempt to transition leadership in the early 1980s. By 1983 Jack and Rene were back as International President and Vice President and, in 1985, Jack retired as President. He became Chairman of the Board and Rene again became Papa Jack’s number two man, this time in the position of President of the Board. Rene remained in this position until Pappy Jim was removed as International President and Erdin-Erdin became International President and Chairman of the Board in 1994.
After Erdin became President Rene retired from active membership but still remained an important resource to the club. In Rene’s mind, the club was much like a child that he had seen grow up and start a life of its own. Rene naturally assumed the status of an “elder statesman” and was always ready to support the Gypsy MC when we needed him. Rene was approachable to all members and especially took time to talk with prospects and younger members. He often helped those who were struggling with decisions about themselves, their chapter or the club. Rene had a strong sense of what the Gypsy MC should be, a sense, I believe that came from his long association with Papa Jack, Pusher, Hacksaw, Dugger, Super Pickle, Tiger Red, Dyn-o-mite, Mac, Super Mex, Hombre and others who founded the club and helped form the vision for how the club should grow in the future.
Rene, and several of the less than twenty surviving Black Rockers, were introduced by Lifer Coordinator, Silver Tongue, at the 2008 Mandatory award ceremonies. Whether Papa Jack realized how important his decision was to change the black rockers to red in 1983 is uncertain. What is certain is the impact this decision had on creating a group of members who could be immediately recognized as members of Papa Jack’s chapter, members who bore the initial responsibility for directing the growth and future of this club. We must be thankful for their commitment, their wisdom and their vision, this group of members truly deserves our appreciation for how they influenced the culture of the club.
Rene Benavidez has transferred his membership in the Gypsy Motorcycle Club to the “Forever Chapter”. He’s now with Papa Jack, Crazy Indian, Hill Climber, Roundman and so many others who have left the family and friends they had in this life. There’s no doubt that Rene has been welcomed with open arms into Heaven and into the “Forever Chapter”. Those who were fortunate enough to have truly known him will miss him. For those that he has left behind, be satisfied in the knowledge that we will see him again when our time on earth ends.
And now our mentor, our friend, our brother and a member of our family is no longer with us. Rene made an impact on so many people and was always there to help us solve our problems and understand ourselves. It’s time for us to mourn the loss of this great man and, at the same time, pull ourselves together and carry on with our lives. I know I won’t be alone as I continue to cherish the times that I shared with Rene. I’m certain that I will always keep his memory safe within my hearts.
Rene … Rest in Peace and Ride Free … you will be missed!!!
Raoul
2010-02-16