Stanley Allen Bennett, Sr. was born on December 25, 1921, in Granite, Oklahoma, and entered his heavenly home on June 9, 2011, at the age of 89. He was preceded in death in 2007 by his wife of 65 years, Hortense Brantley, and his son in 1957, Mark Douglas. His parents, Ben Cabell Bennett and Annie Irene Gaines passed away in 1969 and 1982 respectively. Stan had one sibling, Wynelle Gardner, who died in 2009.
Three other children were born to Stan and Hortense: Stan “Sonny” Bennett, Jr. (Nancy), Jan Giannatala (Vini), and Kyle Bennett (Lori). They had 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Stan moved to Dallas when he was in his teens and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1940. He later studied mechanical engineering at Oklahoma A&M.
A veteran of World War II, Stan was in the US Army 103rd Division of the 411th Infantry Regiment, the “Cactus” Division, as a radio operator. Throughout his life, he annoyed his kids by communicating with them in Morse code! He was an incredibly patriotic individual who loved God, family and country with all his heart. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star following the war.
Flying airplanes was his passion. He was a commercial flight instructor, soloing 350 students and logging 6500 flight hours.
Stan began Microspace Instruments in 1957 in the bedroom of their home. Before long he retired as a geophysicist from Mobil Oil Corporation and devoted the rest of his professional career to building complex precision military components. That business has employed both sons since they were young boys, his wife and daughter, both daughters-in-law and long-time friend Malcom White, along with a host of other friends and family members.
It’s known that when Stan asked Hortense’s grandmother if he could have a date with her on a Saturday night, Ma Nichols made him promise to go to church with her on Sunday morning. He did, and continued to do so as a member of Central Church of the Nazarene for 70-plus years. He served as a Sunday School teacher and treasurer of the church for many, many years. Through 40 of those years, “Bossman Bennett” led the the Gospel Singing WesternAires, a “hillbilly band” who would pick and sing across the country weekend after weekend as they ministered to smaller churches for freewill offerings. The sacrifice of the members of that volunteer group and the impact they had across the United States may never be realized until we all get to heaven.
Tributes to Stan Bennett have come from far and near the past few days. Two thoughts have dominated – how much he impacted the lives of those who knew him well, and how much he was loved by everyone, whether a relative, friend, waitress, neighbor, coworker or mere acquaintance. One of his nurses said she was raised a Christian but had quit going to church some time ago. Because of the impact Stan had on her, even through the dark days of recent weeks, and the deep love and respect bestowed on him by his family and friends, which she said is a testament to the life he lived, this sweet nurse said she has decided to go back to church. Stan is still impacting others for the Kingdom of God.
Stan Bennett may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. His legacy lives on through his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and scores of friends. We’ll see him again one day soon, and he’ll be waiting to greet us, holding the hands of Mother Goose and Mark Douglas … and, of course, Cousin Rodney.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2011 at Central Church of the Nazarene, 7979 East R.L. Thornton Frwy. Dallas, TX with burial to follow at Grove Hill Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Grove Hill Funeral Home.
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