Thomas Frank Bennett, 95, of Burlington passed away at The Homeplace on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 8:45 p.m.
Born July 15, 1924 in the Village of Ossipee, Alamance County, NC; Frank was the sixth child in a family of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie F. Bennett and Nonie Cobb Bennett; three sisters, Grace Bennett Loy, Mildred Bennett Jobe and Rebecca “Becky” Bennett Atkins; and five brothers, Garland E. Bennett, Charles Y. Bennett, Marvin M. Bennett, Lee “Roy” Bennett and Wallace A. Bennett.
Prior to WWII, Frank lived and grew up in Alamance County. He attended E. M. Holt High School, graduating in 1942.
He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U. S. Navy in the South Pacific Theater. Frank attained the rank of Quartermaster 3C. Following his Honorable Discharge in January 1946, Frank enrolled in Burlington Business College and was among the first graduating class of veterans.
Frank was married to Eris Johnson in July 1943, while on Boot leave following Naval Basic Training in Bainbridge, MD. This union produced three sons: Dave A. Bennett, born 1947; Thomas F. Bennett, Jr, born 1950; and Paul Scott Bennett, born 1967.
He is survived by his sons, Dave Bennett, (wife Esther), Thomas F. Bennett, Jr. (wife Karen), and Scott Bennett (wife Cindy); grandsons, Matthew Bennett and his wife, Caitlin, and Quentin Bennett; and granddaughters, Olivia Bennett, Julia Bennett and Chelsea Brooks.
Frank held membership in the Walter B. Ellis American Legion Post 63, remaining a member until passing. For several years in the mid 1950-s Frank served as Adjutant of the Post and was very active in the Baseball Program. Frank was also a Charter member of Voiture Locale #1237 of the 40/8 Honor Society and a participant in many of the Flag programs presented to all First Grade Students in the Alamance-Burlington Schools. Frank was also recognized with the honor designation as Legionnaire of the Year in the early 1950’s.
Frank was the co-founder of Bennett-Hockett Supply Company, (incorporated in 1955); a Plumbing, Heating, and Industrial Supply company. He served as President, Treasurer, and acting Board Chairman until 2010.
In 1969, Frank was instrumental in organizing a business group named “PHC Suppliers Associations”, a group of Wholesalers, Manufacturers and Sales Reps, serving North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia in the Distribution of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling supplies. Frank served as president and then served several years as Treasurer. He was honored as a “Lifetime Member”.
An active citizen over the years, Frank fulfilled his philosophy that you give back to your community a full measure of your time, talent, and possessions.
He was involved in the P.T.A.’s at Hillcrest Elementary, Turrentine Junior High (serving as president) and Walter Williams High School (serving as president). Frank and his wife, Eris, were on the committee of the First Organizers and Participants of the “All Night Party for Graduating Seniors” following graduation and held at the local YMCA.
Frank was an active member in the Police Boys Club athletic program; the YMCA Indian Y Guides; and was the Cub Scout Master of Pack #1 at Holly Hill Baptist Church.
An active member of the Burlington Civitan Club, Frank served as club president in 1962-1963. He was named Civitan of the Year in 1965-1966, and more recently served as Chairman of the Finance Committee. Frank was also a member of the Junior Civitan International Committee of NC, district East, for several years in the 1970-s.
Frank was an active member of the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1983. Prior to serving as president, Frank served as a member of several special committees including the Alamance County Economic Development Task Force; and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alamance Development Corporation. He also served on the Burlington Merchants Association as well as serving several years on the Board of Directors, including two terms as Chairman, of the Alamance Community Services Agency (a spin-off of the ALCAP).
In 1986 Frank was elected to the Alamance County Board of Commissioners where he served two 4 year terms. As a commissioner he represented the Board on a wide range of committees and boards, including: Alamance-Caswell Mental Health & Substance Abuse; Burlington City Schools Board; Community based Alternatives Committee; and the 4H Club Committee. Frank was the Representative for Alamance County on the TAC (Transportation Authority Committee) and served as the Representative of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) in Alamance County at the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments (PTCOG). In 1989, Frank co-chaired the organizing of a School Merger Steering Committee, which developed into a Long-range process. Following the original organizing, Frank chaired the committee until he became Chairman of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners in 1994. At that time, Frank appointed fellow commissioner Ricky Moorefield to carry on the process which resulted in a three to two vote in June of 1994 to merge the two school systems into one under the current name: Alamance-Burlington Schools.
Frank Bennett served as Chairman of the Alamance County Democratic Party in 1997 & 1998. He resigned before his term expired to run for the North Carolina Senate, but was unsuccessful in his pursuit of the Senate seat. Frank was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award plaque for his contributions to the Alamance County Democratic Party in 2004; the presentation was made at the Governor’s Banquet. As a member of the Senior Democrats of Alamance County, Frank served as Treasurer and in 2007 was presented a plaque naming him as “Outstanding Senior Democrat” for the year 2006.
Over the years, Frank served on many other committees of local interest including the Good Shepherd Kitchen Board of Directors, of which he was an original member of the organizing board. He served as Chairman for several years prior to and until it was merged into the Allied Church of Alamance County Program. Frank continued to serve on the Board of Directors of Allied Churches of Alamance County, Inc. and was a member of the ADHOC committee on funding for the new ministry. He served as chairman of the Advisory Committee and on the original Program and Policy Committee.
Frank served on the Board of Alamance Coalition on Adolescent Pregnancy. He was a member of the Community Council; a member of the Needs and Assessment Committee of the United Way; a member of the Drop Out Prevention Committee for Burlington City Schools; a member of Vocational Study Committee for Alamance County Schools; a member of the Hospice “Celebrity Golf Classic” Steering Committee; and a member of the Board of Directors of Friendship Center of Alamance County, Inc.
Frank was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Burlington Alamance County Home Builders Association and was a member of the committee that organized the first home show in Burlington.
In the early 1980’s, Frank Bennett was a member of a committee of 35 citizens, designated as Alamance County Presentation Committee.
Frank was a member of the Alamance Country Club for many years and served on the Board of Directors in the early 1980’s.
Frank was honored to be selected and to participate in a “mini-internship” program in 1992, sponsored by the Alamance-Caswell Medical Society.
Frank Bennett was a man of Faith, and an active member in the United Methodist Church. Originally a member of Webb Avenue United Methodist, which later merged with Trinity United Methodist to form Emmanuel United Methodist Church, in which he remained a member until his passing. During his 50+ years in the Methodist church, he served several terms on almost every committee and/or board. He also served as Lay Leader of the Burlington District of NC, District East of United Methodist Churches, as well as president of the Methodist Men in the Burlington District and a member of the Church Location Committee. Frank also served many years as a Lay speaker during the No Silent Pulpit program in the Burlington District. He was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class, serving as class president, and was one of the rotation teachers of Sunday School lessons.
Frank Bennett served many years on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and Chaired the Properties Committee during the Development and Construction of the Salvation Army office complex and chapel at Dixie and Anthony Street. He also served on other committees, including Chairman of the Finance Committee for many years. Frank and his wife, Eris delivered “Meals on Wheels” monthly as representatives of Emmanuel United Methodist Church and participated in The Hospice Flea Market sales in the Crystal department.
In light of the recent mandate of the Coronavirus, a private graveside service will be held for the family.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Homeplace for supplying to Mr. Bennett for the past 6 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 812 Anthony St. , Burlington, NC 27217, AuthoraCare Collective (formerly Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell) 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or to Emmanuel United Methodist Church,
2331 Lavista Dr, Burlington, NC 27215.
Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington is assisting the family.
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