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ball. I coached my kids. As they grew up playing ball, I was right there with them.” When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, his hobby was put on hold. However, as the world returns to some sense of normalcy, Benny hopes to start coaching again in the future.

When asked about his hopes for the future, Benny McLendon expressed his firm trust in those who will take over McLendon Enterprises in his stead. “I have a family meeting with all my kids and nephews once every quarter, and this is my first question. ‘Do y’all want to keep doing this kind of work? There are easier ways of making a living.’ But they all say ‘yes.’ They all love what they do. I love what I do. My vacation is my vocation. I look forward to each Monday morning.” He chuckles at the fact, and recognizes it as the rare blessing that it is. Benny said that his battle with leukemia gave him “a lot of time to think about a lot of stuff. It made me delegate better and realize that other people could do things. It ultimately helped with the business.” As his kids and nephews gradually take over the details of running the family business, Benny says his goal is “to not be responsible for anything,” to focus on the parts of the business he enjoys most, and to get back out on the sidelines of a football field, investing in the kids of his community.

Benny McLendon didn’t really want to sit down and chat about himself, his life, as he isn’t one to enjoy being the center of attention. In fact, during our chat, he was more eager to praise his wife and her accomplishments than his own, affirming the phrase that “behind every successful man, there is a strong woman.” I believe that it is his humility that has made him not only a good son, husband, father, and business owner, but also a valued and steadfast pillar in our community.

GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON—Pictured here are Robert Toombs Christian Academy’s alumnus, Benny McLendon, and his grandson, Luke Hollis when he was a student at his grandfather’s alma mater.GO DAWGS—Father Ben Dallas, a former priest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a dear friend of the family, joined Benny McLendon and sons at the 2018 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

MCLENDON ENTERPRISES– When asked about his hopes for the future, Benny McLendon expressed his firm trust in those who will take over McLendon Enterprises in his stead.