Obituary: Larry Gene Bennett

Colorado native Larry Gene Bennett passed away on April 16, 2015, at Poudre Valley Hospital surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Larry was born Nov. 17, 1940, in Fort Collins. He was a son of Cecil Edwin Bennett and Bessie May Gabriel. Larry was raised in the Fort Collins area where his family worked in the timber business.

Larry served a short time in the U.S. Navy and then on April 20, 1962, he married Betty Bailey in Greeley. The couple had two daughters and one son in their 29-year marriage. The Bennetts enjoyed traveling and lived in many different states. Larry was a certified auto mechanic and jack-of-all-trades. Larry loved the mountains and spent most of his last years living in Poudre Canyon and lastly Virginia Dale. Larry was an avid fishermen and hunter and shared that with his family. Larry will most be remembered as a talented storyteller and weaver of words.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister. Larry has one surviving sibling, a sister Hazel Bennett of Fort Collins. Larry also is survived by his partner, Betty Mansfield-Bennett, and her two sons; daughters Sheryle (Angel) Bennett of Arvada and Sharlotte Mecca of Byers, his son, Shane Bennett of Wellington, and their spouses; 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, April 25, 2015.