James L. Bennett, 65, often told his family, “I’m leaving in two minutes, whether you’re with me or not.” He finally made good on this promise August 18, 2002, when he made his final trip home. After 13 months of arduous battle, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, Jim yielded to the overwhelming effects of a brain tumor. He took with him the satisfaction that proceeds from a consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and we earnestly pray that Merciful God will extend to him His blessings and protection.
Harriet Bennett gave birth to Jim on June 15, 1937, and she and her husband, Lowell, raised Jim on a farm near Stromsburg, Nebraska. Jim’s parents provided a Christian home, instilled in him a good work ethic, honesty, and mechanical ability. One of his childhood inventions consisted of a time clock that would operate a hand mixer and pulley assembly to open the chicken house door at sunrise.
Jim portrayed a character named “Hoot Owl Pete” in a high school play and never forgot his favorite line: “I don’t like people walking around when I’m going to eat.” He also never forgot his one-member fan club, a lovely classmate named LaRita Johnson, whom he married on July 12, 1958. In addition to many happy memories, their marriage resulted in the births of Jeff and JoAnn.
Jim served in the Colorado Air National Guard and the United States Air Force during the Berlin Crisis, after which he graduated from Colorado State University with a business degree. He combined his business acumen with his mechanical ability when he became the fourth employee hired by Teledyne Water Pik in Fort Collins, where he started as a drill press operator and finished as vice-president of operations. From 1975 to 1985, Jim also served as president of Teledyne Densco in Denver.
After completing his corporate career, Jim and Rita then tackled the world of small business with Photo ImageCenter. No matter where Jim worked, he always focused on others, encouraging his co-workers to operate as a team and empowering his employees to take responsibility for their jobs.
Business accomplishments aside, one of Jim’s greatest sources of pride involved his presidency of the board of directors at Foothills Gateway. That organization purchased their first house for their consumers during Jim’s tenure.
Faith has always played a huge part in Jim’s life. Various job transfers and other opportunities allowed him to serve on four different church councils, two as president. Most recently, at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Jim’s favorite projects and another great source of pride involved the contemporary church service and the youth and family ministry.
In addition to Jim’s jobs as church council president, charitable association board member, photographer, and business owner, he never forgot his duties as husband, assistant gardener, and traveling companion to Rita; son to Harriet; son-in-law to Merle, father to Jeff and Lynn, JoAnn and Tom; brother to Roger; brother-in-law to Linda; Uncle to Kristin and Kendra, and ski buddy to many. These duties required him to spend his last months preparing friends and family for his death, a difficult task he performed with loving care.
William Shakespeare wrote, “The tongues of dying men enforce attention like deep harmony.” Jim took advantage of our attention to encourage us, like he encouraged so many others, to work as a team. He taught us bravery, selflessness, dignity, joy in the face of adversity, and love for each other. He taught us to see the beauty in each other. Jim would never want credit for this hard work; he would prefer that we think of him as a faithful Christian who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty. Goodbye.
A joyful celebration of Jim’s life took place at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, Colorado. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, friends were requested to make memorial contributions to Foothills Gateway or Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church.
