Leon Lamar Bennett, LTC, US Army (Retired), of Coeur D Alene, Idaho, a South Carolina native, a combat-decorated officer, and an avid outdoorsman, passed away on February 28, 2026 surrounded by family after a short, painful battle with multiple myeloma, a result of his exposure to Agent Orange during his combat tours in Vietnam.
Born in 1942 at home near Longs, SC, he was the son of the late Myra M. Grainger and Leon A. Bennett. He spent his early years on the family farm before moving to Windy Hill, SC. He was always one with a story, and we were always awed by stories of work adventures he had before even leaving home: cropping tobacco, driving a school bus route on his way to and from school, lifeguarding, shrimping, and working as a service station attendant. He attended The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina (Class of ’64), where he was known as the Calabash Flash, and upon graduation, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Regular US Army.
Army Ranger, Ranger School Instructor, combat infantryman, a Platoon Leader with two tours in Southeast Asia, and Army helicopter/fixed-wing pilot are just the highlights of a distinguished and storied 24-year military career. While he didn’t dwell on his service in Vietnam, the bonds and deep friendships made around this time of his life were life-long – even with those who didn’t return. As a solemn remembrance every year on Memorial Day, from memory, Lamar would write out the names of each of the soldiers under his command in Vietnam who were killed in action and never made it home.
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor (one oak leaf cluster/OLC), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infantry Badge (Expert), Ranger Tab, Army Aviator Badge, and Parachute Badge.
While stationed in Colorado, he met Ellen “Lenny” (Schubert). They were married for 54 years. Lamar’s military career took them from Colorado to Alabama, Korea (where he learned how to cook a mean bowl of ramen), Michigan, Kansas, Georgia, Germany, Arkansas, and Maryland. After military orders to Alaska were cancelled last-minute, he submitted his retirement papers and sought adventure out West, moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in 1988 with family in-tow. He found a second career in real estate – realtor, business owner, and manager.
He skied with gusto, skiing all around the US, Canada and Europe, amassing quite the collection of season passes. He ditched the golf clubs and found great joy and peace in fishing – from the canoe or fishing boat, or behind a fly rod up on Kelly Creek, the man loved to fish! His fishing adventures as of late became legendary, often dangerous, and usually involved an old Army friend. Bird hunting with his favorite dog, Simon, or being dragged on a big game moose hunt with his son (“at the end of the day, I wish the moose had killed me!”), he wasn’t a guy to just sit around unless Gonzaga basketball was playing on television. He was the consummate host known for his backyard, southern-style fish frys with corn dodgers, making sure every glass was always full.
He was a great dad to Amy and Matt. He never missed a soccer game or basketball game, never turned the lights off until he knew they were home for the night, and was gentle when letting us know we were “being a knucklehead.”
Lamar was an officer and a southern gentleman, humble and compassionate. He loved his friends – old and new, near and far. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Lenny, daughter, Amy Early (Steve) of Billings, MT, and Matt Bennett (Jess) of Coeur d’Alene, ID, and four grandchildren. A gathering to celebrate and honor Lamar’s life will be held this summer.