Larry Dale Benoit was born on February 17, 1940, to Beulah Belile Benoit and Lawrence Benoit in Orange, Texas. Lawrence was a rice farmer and the family moved to China, Texas, when Larry was one year old. In China, Lawrence continued to farm rice and eventually opened Benoit’s Grocery and Mercantile. Larry had two brothers, Richard Lawrence, 4 years older, and Ronald Charles, 5 years younger. The three boys worked on the family farm at an early age. Beulah would cook for all the men on the farm, sometimes up to 25 men a day and the boys would help her serve until they were old enough to actually work in the fields.

Larry attended China School grades 1-12. He enjoyed hunting, fishing camping and riding horses as a boy.  He played basketball until he was in a car accident with Richard, and he crushed his leg.  He worked as a flagman for Farm Air Service while he was in high school. He attended 2 years at Allen Military Academy in Kilgore, Texas then Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches shortly before he returned home to rice farming with his Dad and brothers.

In 1960, Larry married LaDelle Castello. Larry and LaDelle raised two beautiful daughters, Becky Lynn Benoit Ames and Elizabeth (Beth) Ilene Benoit. At 24 years old, after the first birthday of his second daughter he decided to go to Municipal Airport one day and sign up for flying lessons. This led to his career as a crop duster in 1964.  After working for M&M Air Service for many years while still farming rice, Larry decided to open his own air service, Air Care Flying Service that bragged the motto, “Let a farmer do your flying!” He sold the air service in the late 70’s as the economy for the American farmer declined.

Larry was a member of the Neches River Ski Club along with his wife, two brothers, and his sister-in-law, Patsy. He was on multiple bowling league teams and enjoyed dove hunting with longtime friend, Royce Seal. The entire Benoit clan took annual hunting trips to Burnet and Llano. He even managed to be elected Mayor of China and do some horse show judging during these adventurous years. He found that golfing was entertaining and as his daughter, Beth, grew older they enjoyed skeet shooting competitively.

Becky Lynn and Beth began showing horses in the mid-late 70’s which was totally supported and encouraged. The family traveled on the quarter horse circuit for several years. He then began to explore his next passion, cooking! Larry was a man of integrity and a “jack of all trades” but his true love was people. Aside from being an accomplished chef, he was a champion water skier, golfer, equestrian, pilot, rice farmer, and crop duster.  He was a true renaissance man.

In 1984, Larry married Dorothy Savoy and her sons, Mike, Chris, Ben, and Patrick were an exciting addition to his family. Dorothy and Larry were inseparable and would have been married 30 years on June 1, 2014. In 1987, he and Dorothy opened Larry’s Restaurant in China. After several years he turned the restaurant over to his brother, Richard, and the name was changed to Benoit’s Cajun Seafood. Larry and Dorothy then moved to Crystal Beach where he proceeded to bring good food to the Bolivar Peninsula.  They established the Burger Bar, and expanded food at Sharky’s. Another adventure presented itself when he was offered a cooking job in Arkansas in the late 90’s at the Little Cajun in Stuttgart where he loved serving food to dignitaries including the governor.  After a return engagement to the beach where he opened Larry B’s, later to become Steve’s Landing, Arkansas called him back.  Larry’s culinary prowess and love of the outdoors fit perfectly as he headed the kitchen at the Wildlife Farms hunting lodge near Casscoe.

Larry had a bypass surgery in 2005 and moved to Round Rock, Texas, where he continued to cook. After 7 years, he and Dorothy built their dream home in Llano, where they have lived and laughed for the last 5 years, and it is truly a wonderful place. He could always be found tinkering in his garage or digging a pond or riding on his beloved John Deere. He was so proud of their place, and it was evident that he was at peace there.  Larry and Dorothy loved to entertain and quickly made many friends in Llano. Larry was always an enthusiastic entertainer and enjoyed the company of his friends and family, even planning a dinner party the evening before his death. This was his special gift to others and ultimately what led him to live a very full life. 

Larry showed a true love for his grandchildren. They all affectionately referred to him as “Pop” and he loved it. He was also a proud “Daddy” and was loved by all of his children. Larry Benoit will forever live through his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. He was also a lover of animals especially his Chihuahua “grand-dogs” and his precious wild deer.

Larry’s kind and generous heart was felt by all that knew him. His laughter was infectious. To describe him as a lover of people and life is an understatement and he will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Benoit; daughters, Mayor Becky Ames and her husband, Rodney, of Beaumont and Beth Benoit of Houston; daughter-in-law, Pam Efferson of Houston; brothers, Richard Benoit and his wife, Patsy and Ronnie Benoit and his wife, Judi, both of China; step-sons, Mike Savoy and his wife, Sara, of Round Rock; Chris Savoy of Los Angeles, California; Ben Savoy and his wife, Melissa, of Dallas; and Patrick Savoy and his wife, Katie, of Phoenix, Arizona; and grandchildren, Jeremy Savoy, Spencer Savoy, and Shelby Savoy.

A gathering of Mr. Benoit’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with his memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2014, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.