Kenneth Lamar Bennight, Jr.
May 29, 2023
Kenneth Lamar Bennight, Jr., Marine Corps officer, lawyer, writer, and sixth generation Texan passed away May 29, 2023, at the age of 75.
He grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he was an active Boy Scout, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from W.B. Ray High School, and received his undergraduate and law degrees with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, and was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Southern California.
Kenneth began his law career with the United States Justice Department. Later, he moved to San Antonio to join Martin & Drought, P.C. His career included practicing law as a sole practitioner, working as a Certified Mediator, teaching paralegal courses at San Antonio College, working at the Texas General Land Office in Austin, and as an Assistant City Attorney in San Antonio.
Kenneth was active in many local organizations, including the Sertoma Club, Alamo Aquarium Society, Alamo City Rivermen, and San Antonio Writers’ Guild. He served in leadership positions for several of these organizations. He enjoyed going to the theatre, and volunteered as an usher at San Pedro Playhouse. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Church and School, the State Bar of Texas, and the San Antonio Bar Association.
Kenneth enjoyed listening to music, scuba diving, canoeing, keeping tropical fish, reading, playing bridge, smoking cigars, and spending time in the country. Since his retirement, Kenneth began writing. He published Texas Law of Streets and Alleys: A Handbook in 2014. He wrote a detective series featuring Nacho Perez, numerous short stories, and was included in multiple editions of the Corpus Christi Writers Anthology. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandson, with whom he participated in many Cub Scout activities.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Mildred Bennight. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Christopher Reed; his daughter Laura Bennight; and one grandchild. He is also survived by his brother Craig Bennight and wife Johanna, sister Karen Wallace and husband Joe, and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held July 8 at 1pm, followed by a memorial service at 2pm at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Hwy. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Texas Rivers Protection Association (https://txrivers.org/get-involved/donate-to-protecttexas-rivers/) or another charity are appreciated.