Lee Bennington

Lee Merle Bennington left this earth to go home with the Lord on March 16, 2009. He was born on March 1, 1918 in Craig County, Oklahoma to Bill and Nancy Runyon Bennington. His biological mother died when he was an infant and he was the youngest of six little boys, and two sisters. A biological aunt and uncle took him and raised him as their own. He grew up knowing his own father and brothers and they always made sure that he was an important part of their lives. Lee worked the fields around Craig County from early childhood. Anything he could do to help feed the family, he never hesitated to do it. In January of 1942, he married Lillie Couch and in March of that same year, he was called to serve his country in WWII. The following January of 1943, their first child and only son, Gary Lee Bennington was born. Lee served his country and was very proud to have done so. He came back home to Craig County and did whatever he could do to feed his family. The depression had a hold on the county by that time. Then, in July of 1945, a second child was born, a daughter, Julia Anne Bennington, known as Judi. By this time his work had taken his family to Kansas, where he worked as an equipment operator. Then, sometime between 1952 and 1953, he took his family to the oil fields of West Texas, where he began tenure with Stanolind Oil Company, which later became known as Amoco Oil Company, and today is know as British Petroleum. Lee raised his family in the oil fields and his career with Amoco spanned many years. Beginning in 1950, Lee was a Mason for many, many years and became a 32nd degree Mason. Due to failing health in latter years, he was not able to participate in their duties. Lee had the opportunity to visit some of the many burn hospitals that the Masons participate in and that was something he always held close to his heart. Lee retired form Amoco in 1976 and after that, he and Lillie moved from Odessa, Texas to the Hill Country of Texas near Kingsland and Marble Falls. There, he and Lillie took up a little fishing and loved the beautiful countryside where they decided to stay. They stayed there for 16 years and then in 1992, they decided to move back to Oklahoma to live out the remainder of their lives together. In 2005, Lee was honored to have been named the Grand Marshall of the 2005 Veteran's Parade; an annual event that takes place in Claremore. Lee is survived by his wife, Lillie, his older brother Ed Bennington, his son, Gary Bennington, his daughter, Judi Bradshaw, four grandchildren, Wade Bennington, Wayne Roland, Staci Collins, and Courtney Glass, and three great-grandchildren, Christopher Lindley, Baylee Bennington and Loryn Glass. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. Lee was preceded in death by his mother and father, five of his brothers, and one sister. Services will be provided by Luginbuel Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday March 18, 2009 held at Sequoyah Baptist Church in Claremore. Services will be by Lee's good friend and pastor, Martin Potter. Internment will be at 3:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Vinita with military honors provided by Grove Veterans Ritual Team. Pallbearers will be Wade Bennington, Jarrett Glass, Robert Collins, Preston Bradshaw, Christopher Lindley, Roscoe Hanes. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Roland and Robert Nations. Memorials can be made to Sequoyah Baptist Church 16501 S Hwy 66, Claremore, OK 74017 or to Hospice of Green Country 1005 W Archer Drive, Claremore, OK 74017. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com

Service Details

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 1:00pm, Sequoyah Baptist Church

Interment Details

Fairview Cemetery - Vinita