Ron Bennett

Ronald Ralph Bennett, 80, of Pensacola passed away on December 28, 2025. He was born on February 10, 1945 to Ralph and Clara Bennett of St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from Ritenour High School. He moved to California as a young adult, served his country, and then had a long and successful career in telecommunications with Pacific Bell and later Alcatel.

Ron joined the Marines in 1965, serving two tours in Vietnam and earning the nickname, “Shadow.” For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Rifle Sharpshooting Badge. His unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest unit award in the U.S. Armed Forces, setting them apart for extraordinary heroism in extremely difficult, hazardous conditions.

He met his future wife, Barbara Blanchard, while on leave and they married April 12, 1969, when he was part of the Marine Corps Reserves in California. He was honorably discharged in 1972.

Ron and his wife were known as Uncle Ron and Aunt Barb to more than a dozen nieces, nephews and their spouses, as well as to the many great nieces and nephews to follow. Growing up, these children enjoyed Ron’s fun loving spirit and generous nature on many visits, and have wild and wonderful memories of their Uncle Ron. He had a sharp wit, loved to play practical jokes, and didn’t mind making a bit of a scene for a laugh. Ron and Barb were also great lovers of travel, and they shared especially wonderful memories of their time in Tahiti.

Ron was a protective caregiver. After the passing of his father, his mother’s health began to fail. He moved her across the country to live with him, and later to an excellent skilled nursing facility in the area. He visited her daily until her eventual passing. A few years later, Barbara was diagnosed with cancer. He took care of her as well until she passed away in the fall of 2005.

After this, Ron made a cross country trip to visit all of his relatives. With his camper in tow, he traversed the southern half of the U.S.A. and spent time getting reacquainted with them all. He decided to settle down for his retirement years in Pensacola, Florida, with his sister and her husband. Ron had a lifelong interest in sharpshooting, and while he enjoyed good health, he was active at several local gun ranges.

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Glenn Niblock, his brother-in-law George Blanchard, brother-in-law Glen Abbott, sister-in-law and brother-in-brother Donna and Mario Romero, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Roberta and Kevin Skidmore and numerous nephews, nieces, and their families. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara (Blanchard) Bennett.

A service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery on February 27, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.