Luther Bennett, Jr., 74, of Orange, died Monday, August 15, 2011, at M.D. Anderson in Houston.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2011, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange with Reverend David Turner officiating of Little Cypress Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Harris Cemetery in West Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home in Orange.

Born in Orange on August 6, 1937, Luther was the son of Luther Bennett, Sr. and Loconia Howard Bennett. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a Production Superintendent at Equitable Bag Co. for 39 years. Luther was a member of the American Legion, the Orange Boat Club, and a former member of the Orange Power Squadron. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing.

Preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters, Luther is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bonita Harris Bennett; daughter, Elizabeth Prejean and David Hamerly of Orange; son, Luther V. and Shannon Bennett of Covington, Louisiana; and daughter, Rita and Jason Bendo of Orange.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Natalie, Ashleigh, Luther Jordan, Leah, Stephanie, Kristi, and Dustin; great-grandchildren, Christen, Daisy, Kaylee, Faith, Kaden, Halynn, and Keaton; and sister, Effie Camp of Orange.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Luther Jordan Bennett, Dustin Stephens, Larry Harris, Jason Bendo, David Brandon and David Hamerly. Honorary Pallbearer will be Thurl Minchew.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA, 01202 888 557-7177.