David L. Bennett

Former 16-year Libby resident, David Lefever Bennett, 82, passed away Dec. 5, 2016 in Longview, Wash. He was born July 5, 1934 in Pontiac, Mich, to James Blaine Bennett and Lois Lefever Bennett.

David proudly served in the U.S. Air Force in Korea and French Morocco North Africa, after which he attended Columbia University, New York City. He later graduated from Atlanta Georgia Law School in 1959. But his expertise in repairing and custom painting automobiles was his lifelong profession.

He had a beautiful, booming singing voice and enjoyed doing impersonations. In earlier years he competed several times on Ted Mack’s Original Ameteur Hour.

David was an accomplished sketch artist, primarily of Montana ghost towns. With his wife’s encouragement, he revived his earlier love of painting around 2012, which he passionately continued until his passing. He proudly completed approximately 200 beautiful acrylic scenes, some of which he sold; others he simply gave away to family and close friends.

His Montana residences included Canyon Creek, Clancy, and lastly, Libby. He loved fishing the Kootenai River, especially off the bridge below Libby Dam on warm summer evenings with friends. He will be fondly remembered as an avid golfer, poker player, novel reader and Montana sapphire lover. It delighted him to be known as “The Montana Sapphire Man” because of his extensive knowledge of the gemstones.

Following the sale of their little farm on Upper Flower Creek Road in 2014, the Bennetts moved to Wash. State to be closer to family, but both readily admitted they had left their hearts in Montana.

He was preceded in death by his two siblings, Susan Bennett Chambers and James Blaine Bennett, Jr.

He is survived by Diane, his loving wife of 25 years; his children, Kim Colvin of Big Timber, Mont.; Mark Bennett of Blythe, California; Sandra Rojas of Vancouver, Wash.; and Debora Rojas of Chico, California.

He was beloved Grandpa to Tanner Colvin, North Bend, Wash.; Mariel Colvin, Big Timber, Montana; Christopher Wheeler, Vancouver, Wash.; April Bennett, Blythe, California; Danielle Dunbrasky, Spokane, Wash.; and Kaitlyn Schleffler, Bonney Lake, Wash.. He is also survived by nephews Kevin, Chris and Jay Chambers of Georgia, and his forever favorite “big sister” Betty Lasky, of Ocala, Florida.

Following a nostalgic private memorial service, David was interred with full military honors at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, on Dec. 9, 2016.