OBITUARY: John DeVilbiss Bennett, 96, of Marble Falls dies April 14, 2014
John DeVilbiss Bennett went to be with his Lord on April 14, 2014, one day after his 96th birthday. “John D.” was born in Derby, Texas, on April 13, 1918, to Sidney Lionel Bennett Sr. and Martha Agnes (DeVilbiss) Bennett.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Wynona Louise (Melton) Bennett; brother Sidney L. Bennett Jr. and wife Delma; sister Betsy Kemper and husband George; and brother Harry Bennett.
He attended a one-room school in Derby followed by Pearsall High School and Texas A&M University, where he graduated (barely) with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1939.
He worked for American Well & Prospecting Co. in Corsicana, Texas, until the 36th Division was federalized in 1940. In 1941, he married Wynona Melton, and they were happily married until her death in 2006.
He served in the 36th Division during World War II in Algeria, Italy, France, Germany and Austria, earning a Bronze Star, an Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a second Bronze Star, a Silver Star and a Croix de Guerre.
After World War II, he worked for International Derrick & Equipment Co. (IDECO) in Beaumont from 1946 until 1955. In 1956, he went to work for Sun Oil Co. at its research lab, living first in Richardson, Texas, and then in Corinth, Texas.
After retirement, he and Wynona moved to Marble Falls to be near his sister Betsy.
He was a great-grandson of the Methodist circuit rider John Wesley DeVilbiss. John D. and Wynona were founding members of Trinity Methodist Church in Beaumont in 1955 and Spring Valley Methodist Church in Dallas. He enjoyed attending First United Methodist Church in Marble Falls and Walnut United Methodist Church near Round Mountain.
He was a lifelong inventor with 65 patents, inventing until his last day. He was author of an autobiography, “Oh No! Not That!: Life of John D. Bennett, Inventor and Artillery Captain,” which was published last year.
He is survived by his son John Wayne Bennett and wife Allison of Meadowlakes; son Barry L. Bennett and his wife Deb of Arvada, Colo.; sister-in-law Jo Annelle Bennett of Pearsall; “honorary son” Lee Murrah of Riverside; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff of Gateway Villa in Marble Falls for their excellent care and patience for the last few years.
Visitation is 5-7 p.m. April 17 at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373. A celebration of his life is 10 a.m. April 18 at First United Methodist Church, 1101 Bluebonnet Drive in Marble Falls, followed by a graveside service at the Pearsall Cemetery on U.S. 140 East in Pearsall at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201) or the American Diabetes Association (POB 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312).
Go to www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com to offer condolences.
READ: Marble Falls veteran’s tinkering turns into 65 patents, autobiography