Obituary of James Bruce Bening Jr.

Jim was born in Orofino Idaho on April 14,1953 to James Bruce Bening and Jewel Dean (Bouldin) Bening. He was called home to heaven on March 31,2015 after a brave fight with cancer. Jim’s family settled in Pinehurst ID where he grew up and graduated from Kellogg High in 1971. Jim has had a lifetime love affair with the outdoors and loved to share his knowledge and passion with others. He earned his Eagle Scout Badge while living in Pinehurst. He married Carol Bennett in 1973 and together they had a daughter, Heather Aurora Bening. They later divorced. Jim knew at a young age he wanted to fly. He learned to fly as a teenager and earned his pilot’s license at age 18 at the Silverton,ID airport and continued to make flying his vocation until he passed away. Jim joined the Air Force as an aircraft maintenance specialist and continued his flight training to receive his instrument rating. After the Air Force, Jim continued to fly for Felts Field Aviation and then PGT. He returned to school to study engineering, another passion in his life, before going to work for the FAA. Jim married the love of his life, Leslie (Augustine)in 1999. Together, they lived life to the fullest. Camping, river rafting, hunting, trap shooting, traveling, wildlife photography, and good times with family and friends made his life complete. This is a man that can truly say he lived his life to the fullest. Jim is survived by his wife, Leslie, his father Jim Bening, Sr., his daughter Heather and her husband, Marc Dayton, his sister Shannon, brother Wil and wife Candy Bening, two nieces, Mother in law Shirley Augustine (EMI) and Leslie’s children Bob Sanford (Sara), Caleb Sanford, and Holly Sanford. He was preceded in death by his mother Jewel Bening. Jim (aka grandpa yahoo) was the proud grandpa to 11 grandkids, with one on the way, and 1 great grandchild. There will be a celebration of Jim’s life at the Moody Aviation Hangar at Felts Field on Saturday April 4, 2015 at 2 pm. Please come and celebrate this wonderful life with us. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of North Idaho. RIP Forever and two days!