Joe Bennett

Funeral Services for Joe Fred Bennett, 88 of Coolidge will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2006 in First United Methodist Church in Coolidge. Rev. Fred Sain, Kenneth Paris and Rev. Nanette White will officiate with interment following in the Coolidge Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Blair - Stubbs Funeral Home in Mexia. Mr. Bennett was born on December 19, 1917 in Munger to Henry Jackson and Elizabeth Wolf Bennett and passed away on October 16, 2006 at Parkview Regional Hospital in Mexia. He graduated from Coolidge High School and then Texas A & M in 1939. He taught school in Ben Hur 1939-40 and then worked for the Soil Conservation Service from 1940-1941 when he entered the military.. He served in the Army Air Corp during World War II from 1941 - 1946 in Europe, Africa and Japan and left with the rank of Lt. Col. He was awarded the Bronze Star. After returning from service he was a rancher and taught agriculture at Coolidge High School from 1953 - 1961 and from than time until he retired he was postmaster in Coolidge. He served on the City council, School Board and Board of Stewards at First United Methodist Church in Coolidge. Survivors are his daughter, Joan Baxter of Huntsville, son and daughter in law: Ric And Julia Bennett of Coolidge, grandchildren: Beth Crittenden of Cypress, Brooke Baxter of Huntsville, Rae Anne Bennett of Houston and Rick Bennett of College Station. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Mavis Bennett. Pallbearers will be Mario Vasquez, Jerry Brooks, Connie Mack Hancock, Pete Willard, Pete Kirven, Ric Bennett and Kenneth Gardner.