Charles Ellis Benckenstein

On Monday, July 20, 2020, Charles Ellis Benckenstein, loving husband and father of four children, passed away at the age of 80.

Ellis was born on September 18, 1939 in Vinton, LA to Claude Leonard and Elaine (Ellis) Benckenstein. He attended school and graduated from Vinton High in 1957. He received his teaching degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL). In December of 1958 he married Brenda Landry of Vinton. They raised three daughters, Lynette, Ellen and Eunice, and one son, Charlie. This union lasted for forty years until Brenda’s untimely death in 1999. In September of 2000 he was married to Marsha Kaye Harrison of Lake Charles.

In 1961 Ellis became a resident of Sulphur, after accepting the Agriculture teaching position at Sulphur High School, where he taught for twenty years. He retired from teaching in 1981. In his years at SHS, Ellis was known for an active Ag/FFA program that he tended and cared for deeply. Many of his former students became lifelong friends. His program at SHS became well known for their excellence in the FFA livestock program and the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association. For 26 years, Ellis served as the state director for the State of Louisiana for the National High School Rodeo Association. An arena was built on SHS grounds for the purpose of hosting the Louisiana State High School Rodeo Finals for many years.  In 1976 he became the national president of the association and was responsible for the National Finals High School Rodeo, which was held in Sulphur.  During his involvement with high school rodeo “Mr. Benck” was very helpful in the early years of the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, an organization that continues today. After his retirement from SHS he worked for Mid-South Insurance in Sulphur. Ellis realized that his true passion was still in the area of education and he became the Director of ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors) in Westlake, LA, where he again retired in 2008. As those that knew him realize, Ellis enjoyed the wonderful opportunities that South Louisiana offers. Hunting and fishing were a passion of his for his entire life. Many stories and memories with Ellis were made in a duck blind, a fishing boat or deer camp at Gum Cove.

Ellis is preceded in death by his father and mother, his first wife, Brenda, as well as a granddaughter, Victoria. He is survived by his current wife Marsha, his four children with Brenda, Lynette Washburn, Ellen Stoddard and husband Tommy, Eunice McBeth and husband Bart and Charles David Benckenstein and wife Dee Ann, also his brother Claude Len Benckenstein and wife, Graciela. Grandchildren are Alecia Davis, Hannah Hetzel, Michael Washburn children of Lynette, Ammisty Fountain, Samantha Backlund, Alex Backlund, Elizabeth Stoddard children of Ellen, Brandon McBeth, Mackenzie McBeth children of Eunice, Krysta Benckenstein, Kaley Benckenstein, Kameron Benckenstein children of Charlie and 10 great-grandchildren.

 While Ellis enjoyed fellowship with his friends and loved ones, he would want us all to be safe and healthy. A celebration of life is being planned for some time in the future when all can gather with no worries. In lieu of flowers or a donation, he would have preferred you to call a friend or a loved one and share God’s word.