I am so thankful for the unconditional love I always felt from my dad. His consistency and stability provided a foundation in my life that from my observation, is a unique and rare human experience....................so simple, yet so profound......................I miss him.

Thank you everyone for your warm, heartfelt postings. Thank you as well to all of those who attended or sent well wishes to his Celebration of Life. It was a remarkable gathering and overwhelming to see how many peoples' lives he touched. I appreciate you helping keep his memory alive.

With respect and honor for his soul's journey onward into the unknown.........................

Uncle Tom was so warm and just funny, funny, funny. I loved how I felt around him: safe, nurtured, and genuinely engaged with. Spending time in his home as a child holds some of my fondest memories. And SE eing how he interacted with my cousins taught me what a family could be, what it should be. Something I'll never forget is his laugh ... a bit of a devilish giggle, really ... and the smell of his pipe. Thank you for being a bright light in my heart Uncle Tom. Your energy will stay with me forever. I love you.

I was a shy wallflower and a brand new teenager when my big sister Beth started dating Tom. He came to visit our home, and he liked to tease me. I remember him brandishing a cigar at me, assuring me that if I had any problems in my life, I should try smoking it, because it would ""take all your problems and put 'em in your mouth!"" He was a funny guy, and sweet too. Thanks Tom for the lasting impression you made in our family. We will enjoy the shades and reminders we see of you in two of your great gifts to this world--your sons. Your humor and kindness lives on in them. Love, Roberta

...what a sweet memory...touched my heart.

I didn't get to see my Uncle Tom very often since we lived in Virginia, but he made such a lasting impression on me the times that I did see him as a child.  I remember him endlessly playing with us ""kids"" outside at Nana's house.  Shortly after coming home from one trip to Colorado, I convinced my parents that I needed a pet.  I really wanted a kitten, but they got me about 5 goldfish and I named them all ""Tommy"".  Unfortunately, my goldfish did not make it very long (they only lasted about a week - I always blamed our ""well"" water).  I still wanted a kitten, but I then was able to talk my parents into getting me a hamster, which I also lovingly named ""Tommy"".  ""Tommy"" the hamster lived a full ""hamster"" life.  Uncle Tom was a very special and kind person.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of his loved ones.  Dustin and Randy, I know that it is so difficult to lose a parent, but cherish all of your memories.  

Christie Faris Hester

Mom, I had not read your post, and yet I too mentioned that he had a twinkle in his eye that was special!

Uncle Tom was kind, funny and present. I felt warm around him and special. He reached out to me and seemed to enjoy me even though I was a child. I was welcome in his home and in his family, even long after the bonds of matrimony had ended. I admired his stability and loyalty. He is the only uncle I ever saw much of, and I am so glad it was him. You hear in stories that some people have a twinkle in their eye, but with him it was real, and I will always remember him that way.
Jenny

Life on this planet will never be the same without our Tom
He was special!!!
Tookie walker bitante

I knew who Tom was before I ever met him because our Dads were friends, and he was on Needham Elementary School's basketball team, which usually beat my school team!
I can't remember when we first became friends but once we were together at Smiley Jr High, he became my life-long friend. When he and Carolyn started dating, he was so excited about the prospect of a loving relationship--and all his friends loved her, too.

Teddy Wilson Snow

Tom was a world class brother-in-law who never tired of teasing his sisters-in-law!  His humor, long story setups and practical jokes were second to none.  He was always a gracious and kind host when my family visited.   I will think of him always with that great twinkle in his eye, and I'm sure that he continues to regale those who went before him.  You are missed, Tom, by many, many people, but will never be forgotten. Your legacy is played out in your two wonderful sons, who embody many of your characteristics as they become all they are meant to be.  Thank you for your contribution to all of us!

Dawn Star

Tom and I began a lifetime of friendship in the late 1940,s.  Our families were living at the Old Fort Lewis Campus at Hesperus, CO.  Summer time was for fun and Tommy was a great playmate.  We played all over that campus but when his Mother whistled he ran like the wind for home.  Funny how her soft little trill carried and there were no excuses for not hearing her.  First grade started and our school career began.  Moves sent us in different directions, but in the fifth grade at Needham our paths converged again until we graduated high school.  Tom had a great sense of humor, loved a good practical joke and I was a perfect guppy.  He caught me every time.  I will forever remember his laugh and the sparkle in his eyes.  He was loving, caring, concerned for others and had a gentle soul.  He touched my life from an early age and I will miss him as will others whose lives he touched.  Perhaps he heard his Mother's soft trilling whistle one more time and ran like the wind for home.

Kris Poer

In youth every chance-met acquaintance is hailed as a friend.  But as one grows older and the real nature of friendship becomes better understood, fewer and fewer wear for one the golden name of friend.  For the man or woman who has reached the middle life with a dozen friends, real friends who will bear all the tests of friendship, is rarely fortunate.  One or two such friends are all that most of us can hope to win, and we may count ourselves rich with them.  Rest  in peace my friend-my life has been touched by you in so many ways-you will be missed.

Like many others in the Class of 59, I remember well the pleasant times in class or at various activities with Tom.  After graduation and a lapse of over 45 years we met again during the mini-reunions in the Denver and Loveland areas.  it was great to renew friendships and to enjoy many good stories and memories of Durango High.  Tom will be so missed by so many.  The 50's were good years to grow up in Durango and Tom was one of those good classmates and friends that we will remember well.  Good days to you Carolyn and we know that you will look for and miss his smiling face.

I went to Durango High School with Tom and know he was one of the most popular guys around!  Everyone loved to be around this super person!  Tom was the ultimate gentleman from the moment I met him until his passing.  He was always one of the most polite, caring and loving people I have ever met in my entire life.  He had the ability to make everyone really feel his love for them and I can only hope he could feel the love coming back at him as well.  He will be so terribly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have met this wonderful gentle man!  I'm so very sad to lose this dear friend...........
Sharon Plumlee Bergeson

I went to Jr. & Sr. High School in Durango, CO. & to First Presbyterian Church with Tom.  We had a big crush on each other in Jr. High, starting at church camp. ""Our song"" was ""Love Is A Many Splendored Thing"" since we saw that movie together.  Awww, young puppy love!  We were in the same ""crowd"" through high school.  It was such fun watching little, but fast Tom play guard on Durango High's basketball team, & he was dubbed the player with the ""cutest legs""!  As a group we had such laughs & made great memories together.  God Bless You, Tom!

Becky Taylor Bartsch-Bergthold

Tom was the father of my children, Dustin and Randy. He was dedicated to his sons and proud of who they are. His presence in their lives provided a steady hand and generous spirit. His qualities of humor, concern, commitment and compassion live on in them. I see him in their stride and hear him in their voices. Thank you, Tom, for always being there for your sons. Your spirit lives on in them!!!

...words will never express the sorrow that we are all feeling about now... thanks Thomas for being the best friend a man could ask for and for bringing so much laughter into my life... the stories we told and the memories I have of you are too numerous to mention...you gave to my life, you were my gift for this lifetime...we are going to miss you to tears... I love you ole buddy and your memory will be forever in my heart.
Ron Candelaria

Tom firing Remington pump action 22 (he missed)...

I went to CSC in Greeley (now named UNC) with Tom, was on the gymnastics team with him, and I lived at his home in Durango, CO during my student teaching in 1964. He was a fun guy, a class act, and a great competitor. He was loved and will be greatly missed.
Don Neff, Salt Lake City, Utah

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Thomas Ralph Bennett, Jr.

31 juillet 1941 – 9 juillet 2016

Allnutt Funeral & Cremation - Macy

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