Terry Bennett—known to many as Tom—passed away on May 6, 2025, with his daughter and girlfriend by his side. Son to the late Johnny and Jean (Ritchey) Bennett of Glendive, MT, Terry was a proud Marine, a two-time helicopter crash survivor in Vietnam, a master welder, and the very best father and loyal friend.

He spent decades welding his mark across Helena—literally. He loved pointing out every custom railing he ever built, always with pride and usually with a story. He moved to Helena over 50 years ago, raised a family, hunted in the Ruby Valley with his brother Jim, and loved nothing more than spending a few weeks at the cabin on Fort Peck with family and friends, the sound of meadowlarks echoing across the prairie and the smell of rain drifting through an open window.

Terry was known by everyone as kind, upbeat, and unshakably positive. Even in his final days, he was cracking jokes with the nurses and making sure everyone else was doing okay. He never missed a chance to make someone laugh, and he handled life—good and bad—with humor, grit, and a twinkle in his eye. "Those were the days, my friend—we thought they'd never end."

He is survived by daughter Lindsay (Bennett) Pearsall, her husband Rob, and favorite grandson Austin—who he taught how to fish, build a roaring campfire, and appreciate the simple joy of a quiet Montana evening. He is also survived by girlfriend of over 20 years, Linda McHenry, and her children Jeremy, Jennifer, and Jessy. Terry leaves behind older brother Gary Bennett and wife Renee; niece Heidi and nephew Brian; sisters-in-law Sally and Kari; niece Dawn Bennett, and high school best friend of 63 years, Jerry Malkuch.

He was predeceased by brothers Dave and Jim Bennett, and niece Amy Bennett.

A celebration of life will be held later this summer at his favorite watering hole: the American Legion, Lewis and Clark Post No 2 in Helena. Expect a Bud Light in hand, Mary Hopkin playing in the background, and a few good stories retold for the hundredth time. "Through the door there came familiar laughter…"

In the meantime, if you see a beautiful railing around town, give it a nod. Odds are, it was one of his.