Coach Raymond P. Bennett, Jr.

A memorial service for Raymond Pace (Coach) Bennett, Jr., age 78 of Rogers will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church in Temple. Raymond passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at a local hospital.  He was born on November 7, 1939 in Cameron to Raymond (Punk) and Virginia Bennett. He was a 1958 graduate from Lufkin High School and a 1962 graduate of Austin College in Sherman. Raymond married Melanie Jane Mullins in Sherman on January 27, 1962. He dedicated his life to teaching and coaching beginning in Cameron where he was born, and where his father also had his first coaching position.  Coaching led him to assistant positions in Haskell, Mexia and Bridge City.  He served as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Spring before arriving in Temple in 1973 to be a part of Bob McQueen’s staff.  When he could no longer physically coach, he became the Athletic Department’s Business Manager and was named Athletic Director when Bob McQueen retired.  He served in this capacity until he retired in May of 2003. After retirement from his 28 years with TISD, he was recruited to teach Life Skills at the Bartlett State Jail and retired as the Librarian in February 2014. Raymond received a kidney transplant at Scott & White in February 2014 that allowed him to continue supporting and following his beloved Temple Wildcats for four more years.  Raymond spent a total of 52 years doing what he loved best. Raymond is survived by his wife, Melanie of Rogers; sister, Amy Beth Bennett of Cypress; children, Spencer Bennett of Rogers and Bret Bennett of Temple; grandchildren, Randall Bennett of Lafayette, LA., Ryan Bennett and wife Shannon of Waco, Koellie Bennett and Melanie Bennett of Temple; great granddaughter, Baylee Jane Bennett of Temple. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Virginia. Memorials may be made to Gold Ribbon Rescue, P.O. Box 956, Austin, TX 78767-0956; The Logos Program, Grace Presbyterian Church, 2401 S. 57th St, Temple, TX 76504; or to Alzheimer’s Texas, 3520 Executive Center Dr., Suite #140, Austin, TX 78731.