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John Hurst Bennett 
When our son John died two weeks before his 30th birthday in an automobile accident in San Antonio in November, 1996, a bright and shining light went out of our lives.
John lived his short life to the fullest, maintaining a strong faith in God and having a wonderful time. He was full of fun and kept his friends and family laughing and enjoying his wit. John achieved much. He was outstanding in school although sometimes it seemed having fun was a priority over studies. At Cullen Junior High in Corpus Christi, Texas, John was chosen most outstanding boy He was selected as a delegate to Boys' State where he was elected to the office of chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. At King High School in Corpus Christi, he was in the elite choral group, Vocal Suspension. He was Vice President of the student body his senior year. He ranked in the top ten percent of the graduating class. John was student organizer of his high school's first alcohol and drug free graduation party. John was active in Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Professional Writing at Baylor University. His senior year writing project involved collaborating with the City of Waco to identify which public buildings, churches, schools and businesses offered facilities where physically impaired individuals could be accommodated. The City commended him for the major contribution he made to this project. John was the bear mascot at Baylor for one year and was named "All American Mascot" at a mascot competition. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and served as Chaplain and later as President. In April, 1991, John married a lovely young woman, Loryn Goodman, whom he met at Baylor. In 1996 they had a son, Cullen, who was five months old when John died. John was Manager of the San Antonio branch of Arthur Valve and Fitting Company in Austin, Texas, where he worked closely with engineering, purchasing and production personnel in high tech industries. He was well known for his creative presentation techniques and ability to build relationships. Just prior to his death, John was selected to give a presentation to a worldwide group in Paris, France. John was a lifelong Christian and he and Loryn were active at First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. Music was important to John and he composed more than 26 songs, music and lyrics, and had taped ten of them. In memory of John, his family, friends, and business associates created a scholarship in his name at Baylor University. This scholarship is now endowed and is enabling worthy students to pursue an education they might not otherwise have had. John's memory lingers in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him. Especially we who loved John as the brother of Barbara, Carol Ann, and Bud and as our beloved son, miss him every day of our lives. John Hurst Bennett Memorial Scholarship Fund University Development One Bear Place #97050 Waco, TX 76798-7050 |
