Tommy Joe Bennington

Tommy Joe Bennington was born on October 24, 1939 in Paris, Texas, the only child, to Leeman Wesley Bennington and Ava Nell Whitlock Bennington. At the age of five, he moved to Tyler where he lived until his death. Growing up, he enjoyed playing baseball, raising chickens, and began his lifelong passion of coin collecting.

He attended Tyler High School where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America, the National Rifle Association youth affiliate serving as Secretary, and the Tyler Junior Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows serving as Conductor.

After graduating in 1957, Tommy attended Tyler Junior College and began working at William Cameron delivering lumber. He was a longtime supporter of Apache athletics and could often be found at Wagstaff Gymnasium taking in a basketball game.

On February 27, 1959, he married Frances Elizabeth Allen. From this union, John Thomas Bennington was born on November 22, 1961.

In 1962, Tommy began a 38 year career at Kelly Springfield, later Goodyear, inspecting die casts among other jobs. He enjoyed boasting that his job required him to read letters backwards.

While at Kelly Springfield, he met and married Betty Jean Attebery on February 5, 1965. At 12:54 am on January 1, 1968, Betty gave birth to Leeman Leroy Bennington forcing Tommy to miss a 1967 tax deduction by 55 minutes. Tommy and Betty’s marriage was the embodiment of love and companionship. They were rarely apart even while at work. They remain an influence on all those whose paths they crossed.

After retiring from Kelly Springfield and the death of Betty in 2000, culminating 35 years of marriage, Tommy married Beulah May McMillan Bell on November 28, 2003. They attended Green Acres Baptist Church. They enjoyed traveling together, spending time with their new families, and a shared entrepreneurial spirit. Beulah preceded Tommy in death in 2023 after 20 years of marriage.

Tommy enjoyed raising his two boys and stayed active by participating in golfing, bowling, and softball teams. However, his true obsessions revolved around church life and coin collecting. Tommy, Betty, and sons were members of Lakeview Church of the Nazarene. There he was a regular fixture on the church Board, sang in the choir, and pitched in wherever needed whether it required chairing a section, chaperoning youth, driving the church bus to pick up kids for Sunday School, teaching a class, or swinging a hammer. He is remembered most fondly as the first person to greet you at the door upon arrival at church with his latest joke or quip.

Tommy began seeking enthusiastic coin collectors to share his hobby with as early as 1961. He was instrumental in the revival of the Rose City Coin Club. There he served as long time President, as well as, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Bourse Chair. He was also active in the of the Texas Numismatic Association where he acted as District 12 Governor. In 2010, the TNA honored Tommy with the Hall of Fame Award for his many years as an ambassador of the hobby.

Tommy left us at 7:31 am on Friday, May 31, 2024. He is survived by two sons and daughter in laws; John and Ann Bennington of Edmond, Ok and Leeman and Jana Bennington of Lake Jackson, TX, five grandchildren; Emily Bennington of Austin, TX, Victoria Bennington of Durant, OK, Riley Bennington of Lake Jackson, TX, Lauryl Bennington of Edmond, OK, and Evan Bennington of Lake Jackson, TX, and 1 greatgrandchild; Amelia Bennington of Lake Jackson, TX. Extended family include Charles and Nicki Bray of Spicewood, TX, Bryan and Lisa Bell of Plano, TX, Whitney, Kyle, and Scarlett Work of Grand Junction, CO, Hunter Bray of Houston, TX, and Conner and Mary Bell of Dallas, TX.

Tommy made an impression on everyone he met. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and ability to create laughter. Even as his life drew to a close, he made sure no one left his room without a smile.

A time of visitation for Tommy will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Lloyd James Funeral Home, Tyler, Texas. A a celebration of life will occur Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM, Tyler, Texas. A graveside service will occur Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery, Tyler, Texas.