Jerry Clinton Bennett

Jerry Clinton Bennett, 73, of Lakeland, FL, passed from his earthly life on Friday, October 10th, 2014, after suffering from the effects of a Glioblastoma brain tumor diagnosed in January 2012. Jerry was the second child and only son of Dorrys (Dot) and Ophelia Jordan Bennett born on April 18th, 1941 in Roanoke Rapids, NC. He was in the Boy Scouts, played sports, including baseball and football. He was musically talented and sang, played the piano, trumpet, and mellophone. He enjoyed building things, especially a car and a boat he built with his father. He enjoyed summers at White Lake, Lake Gaston (water skiing with the boat), and Nags Head, NC. He graduated in 1959 from Roanoke Rapids High School and attended college at Virginia Military Institute, majoring in civil engineering. While at VMI, his class marched in President John F. Kennedy""s Inaugural parade. Upon graduation from VMI, Jerry entered the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1963. Prior to his military service in Korea, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Derith Morris, on November 29th, 1963. After Korea, he served at Ft. Bragg, NC, one tour in Viet Nam where he received the Bronze Star, and then worked for the NSA. In November 1969, not wanting to be away from his family again, Captain Bennett walked his resignation papers through the offices of the Pentagon and was honorably discharged. After leaving the US Army, Jerry began his civilian career as a civil engineer for Reynolds, Smith and Hills in Jacksonville, FL. One significant project he worked on was the plotting of roads that would eventually become Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Jerry and Derith attended Murray Hill UMC in Jacksonville and became youth group leaders. It is at Murray Hill UMC that Jerry met Donald Marsh and formed a friendship for life. At Donald""s asking, Jerry joined Florida Steel Culvert Division in Tampa and moved his family to the Brandon area in 1973. The family began attending Brandon First UMC where he sang in the choir and served on numerous committees. He became a Dale Carnegie graduate in 1975. In October 1976, Jerry attended a Men""s retreat in Leesburg, FL, that changed his life when he asked Jesus to become his Lord and Savior. After leaving Florida Steel, Jerry began his own consulting firm, Rose Financial. He wore a rose sticker on his lapel as a symbol. He would say, ""It stands for the Rose of Sharon"" and would then give it away. He became immersed in a men""s small group at church and gave of his time to cook the men""s Wednesday morning prayer breakfast. He later worked as the Executive Secretary for the Florida Conference of United Methodist Men for ten years and became a certified Lay speaker in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was very proud of becoming a Fellow of the Society of John Wesley. Again, at Donald""s asking, Jerry joined Reeves Southeastern Galvanizing in Tampa and then joined AllStar Bleachers and Grandstands until his retirement in 2006. He spent countless hours working in his yard, spending time with his family and friends, being Papa to his grandchildren, and getting away to the Hunt Camp for time with his buddies. When he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumor in January 2012, Jerry used his situation as a witness. He praised God after his two surgeries and looked to find as many blessings as he could. When he was given an electrode headgear apparatus to wear as part of a clinical trial, he used humor to make light of his new appendage and called it ""George"". With each new phase, Jerry chose to praise God instead of complaining. He would often ask, ""Why am I still here?"" He prayed fervently for others but never himself. He and his family were given 33 precious months to live, love, and laugh. Jerry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Derith Morris Bennett of Lakeland, FL, daughter Lori Bennett Beauparlant and husband Tejay Beauparlant of Atlanta, GA, daughter Katrina Bennett Lynn and husband Marlon Lynn of Lakeland, FL, grandchildren Kathryn Davidson and Kaitlyn Davidson of Atlanta, GA, Chloe Lynn, Amelia Lynn, and Mitchell Lynn of Lakeland, FL, sister Judy Bennett Morris and husband Dewey (Sonny) Morris of Durham, NC, two nephews and five nieces all from North Carolina, and many cousins. Jerry had three lifetime goals he attained; to live to be 73, exceeding his own father, to be married for 50 years, and to live half his life as a Born Again Christian. Jerry will be remembered for his dry wit humor, the ability to make people laugh, for being meek, kind, and putting others before himself. Most of all, Jerry will be forever remembered for his strong faith and witness to Christ. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 29th, 2014 at 11:00am at Brandon First United Methodist Church, located at 121 North Knights Avenue, Brandon, FL. In lieu of flowers, honorable donations may be made to Jim Russo Prison Ministries, 2106 26th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL, 34208 or to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2590 Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven, FL, 33881. Service: 11/29/2014 Brandon First United Methodist Church 121 North Knights Avenue, Brandon, FL