Kern County Obituaries

Thomas Lewis Bennett Jr. 

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown

Thomas Lewis Bennett Jr. was born September 28," 1917 in Austin, Texas, but 
spent all of his adult life in the state of California. He died December 29, 
1998 at age 81.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II for 2 years. He then worked for 
Douglas Aircraft Co. at the El Segundo plant for 19 1/2 years as an aircraft 
mechanic. After that he worked for the Los Angeles City Department of Water 
and Power as an electrical lineman and retired in 1975.
He married Eleanor M. Bennett of Tacoma, Washington in 1943. He then married 
Theresa A. Robinson in 1953 and was married for 46 years before Theresa passed 
away last September.
Tom retired to the California desert in 1975. He was an active member and a 
regular soloist at Community Church for many years. He has been a member of the 
Players Group, Art Club, AARP, the Boy Scouts and was a member of the American 
Legion Post 0476. He was an active rock collector and an oil painter.
Tom and Theresa also were Camp Ground hosts all summer at Yosemite National park 
for over 11 years. They were honored with an award by the State of California in 
1992 for their efforts in preserving California's natural and cultural resources. 
They were also active Amway dealers for a number of years.
Tom is survived by his daughter Marie C. Lewis of Gresham, Oregon; stepdaughters 
Irma M. Green of Tacoma, Washington, Joan M. Smith of Compton, C A; stepsons 
Ralph R. Robinson III of Compton, CA, Eugene M. Robinson of Corona, CA and Ronald 
Robinson of Moreno Valley, CA. He is also survived by three brothers John 
Bennett of Carson, CA, Charles Bennett of Gulf Port, Mississippi and Robert 
Smith of Lake Ellsinore, CA; 2 grandchildren, 22 step-grandchildren and 19 
step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by a host of other relatives and 
friends in several states.
Services were held Monday, January 4, 1999 at the Community Church of California 
City with Pastor Ronald Sparks officiating. Internment was at California City 
Memorial Park. Arrangements were handled by Shekel Mortuary.