Leslie John Bennett

Mr. Les Bennett, educator, and businessman passed away October 6, 2023. As a business leader Mr. Bennett founded and served as president of Welding Technologies Inc., a consulting firm specializing in welding and metallurgy technology, servicing the San Juaquin Valley in California. Mr. Bennett also served as president and director of Sculpture World In., an art gallery in Carmel, California. He was also president and manager of Bennett-Lahr Inc., in Santa Maria, California and served as manager and welding engineer for Victor Equipment Company in Fresno, California.

Mr. Bennett was born and attended school in Fresno, California. He received his B.V.ED. and MBA degrees from California State University in Fresno, California. He was instructor emeritus from College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California where he developed their Welding Technology and Metallurgy programs. Mr. Bennett was an instructor at College of the Sequoias for twenty-one years and associate instructor at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria for fifteen years.

As a civic leader Mr. Bennett was active in V.I.C.A., a national youth organization for industrial technology students. He was designated Vica Advisor of the year by the California State Department of Education. He also served as California State Welding Coordinator.

Mr. Bennett was one of the founders of the Central California American Welding Society Section. He served as section Chairman and was elected District 21 Director serving California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, and Mexico.

Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife Lisa. At his request there is to be no funeral, memorial, or celebration of life service. Burial will be at Siskiyou Memorial Park in Medford, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to Jackson County Animal Shelter. 5595 South Pacific Highway, Phoenix, Oregon 97535. 541-774-6654.