James Eschol "Jimmy" Bennett, Jr.

Augusta, GA......James E. Bennett Jr., "Jimmy," beloved Daddy, Papa, and friend, passed away into the arms of our heavenly Father on October 20th, surrounded by his children, his brother and sister-in-law, and his nephews, at University Hospital in Augusta, GA, of complications from COVID-19.

Jimmy was born on September 3, 1950 in Perry, GA, to the late James E. Bennett Sr. and Ernestine Jones Bennett.  He was raised in Fort Valley, GA. He graduated high school in 1968 and attended Georgia Southern University. From there, he took a job at the Statesboro Herald that began his newspaper career. During his career, he also worked for the Fort Valley Leader Tribune, the Eastman Times Journal, the Jesup Press-Sentinel, and the Canton Cherokee Tribune. He then became the editor of True Citizen newspaper in Waynesboro, GA.

He transitioned into the computer business in 1992 not by design, but by chance. In 1994, he started his own company, ComputerOne. In the early 2000s he started his web company, Southfire, which was almost an accident, but Jimmy learned, and grew a thriving business. After building Southfire from the ground up, he joined with M3 Agency in 2018 and formed an incredible partnership.

Throughout his careers, he formed many successful relationships and left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with. He had a gift of making everyone feel like family. He always put people before business, and insisted that relationships are what make a business--not transactions.

Jimmy loved food, music--especially The Beatles--classic cars, antiques, writing, and all things Christmas. Through his love of Christmas, in 2018 he created Christopher Radko's Forest - Buy, Sell, Trade, a private group on Facebook where members can buy and sell their favorite Christopher Radko hand blown, hand painted ornaments. He was full of knowledge of the history and details of Radko ornaments, and spent most of his semi-retirement years buying and selling Radkos. He had dreams of one day opening a Christmas store in Augusta. He never got that chance, but in the last 3 years he grew the group to 1,300 members and created friendships and inspired people from all over the world. This was the last of many endeavors he succeeded in, and the one that brought him the most joy.

In 1973, he married Jefiner, and together they raised three beautiful children that he proclaimed to be his greatest accomplishments. He always put family first, and was a strong, kind, loving, and supportive father. He was unendingly proud of Ansley, Courtney, and Reed. They called their dad a superhero, and, even as adults, still see him that way. He worshipped his 6 grandchildren and always said they made every day better.

He lived his life for others, especially his children and grandchildren, and dedicated his life to providing for his family and giving them the life they deserved. He proudly and frequently mentioned that family meant more to him than anything else in the world. He was a gentle, kind, loving, and wonderful man and has left a permanent mark etched on the hearts of those he left behind. He will be supremely missed.

Jimmy is survived by his daughters Ansley Bennett and Courtney Ward, son Reed Bennett (Katie), brother Jeffery Bennett (Sheila), nephews Rich Bennett and Burt Bennett (Beth), grandchildren Ryder, Banks, Hailey, Addison, Caroline, and Willow and his beloved miniature golden doodle, Radko.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Rowland-Ford Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. J. Andrew Menger officiating. The family will begin receiving friends an hour and a half prior to the service. The service may be viewed via Livestream by using the following link https://livestream.com/rowlandford/events/9914152

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an educational fund for Jimmy’s grandchildren that will soon be established. The information for this fund will be announced at a later date.

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