Gail Donavan Bennett

Gail Donavan Bennett

Gail Donavan Bennett passed peacefully away on Father’s Day, June 17, 2018, with his family there to support him. He was born on Jan. 14, 1947, in Denver, Colo., to Fermin McCloed Bennett and Isabelle (Pat) Trujillo.

Gail grew up in Waitsburg, Wash., and always called himself Dad’s right hand man! His dad was one of his heroes and there was one simple phrase he use to express his love for him: me, my dad and John Wayne. He loved gardening (he was called the potato man) hunting, fishing, logging and gambling. He particularly loved his grandchildren and taught them all to fish and shoot safely.

Gail was a Ladies Man and he was married to Connie Bowman; they had two sons, Shannon and Leroy Bennett. In later years he married Janie Thompson and they had a daughter, Janell Bennett. In 1987 he married the love of his life, Carolyn, and they spent 31 years doing everything together.

Gail was fortunate to spend the last decades of his life exactly where he always wanted to be — enjoying the beauty and wonders of the Yaak. He was happiest when he was sharing his love of the forest and rivers and wildlife (and a few pet deer) with his dogs, friends and family and then telling the stories later at the Tavern.

Gail was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wally and his sister Barbara. He is survived by his brothers, Jim and Terry Bennett, and his sister Patti Smith; children Shannon, Leroy, Janell and Bobbi; stepdaughters Cory and Robin; and his grandchildren Dane, Vance, Graham, Brianna, Caleb, McKenna , McKenzy, Anthony and Andrew and his wife, Carolyn. Gail will be missed by many, he had an impact on every life he touched.

A family ceremony will be held at Boyd Hill Cemetery at noon on Saturday July 28. There will be a potluck celebration of his life following at 2 p.m. on the same day at the Yaak River Tavern. Please contact Carolyn for further details. In the words of Gail Bennett, “Thank You Lord for a Beautiful Day!”