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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with the |
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passing of Gerald Mack Bennett of Jefferson on April 28, 2025, at |
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the age of 74; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Jim Wilson and Finna Faye Bennett, Jerry |
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Bennett was born in Marshall on July 14, 1950, and he grew up with |
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the companionship of four siblings, Jim, Phil, Judy, and Glenn; a |
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member of the Marshall High School Class of 1968, he went on to |
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graduate from Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor's degree in |
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education in 1976; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Bennett enjoyed a long and rewarding career as |
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an educator and football coach, starting with his first job as an |
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assistant coach at Marshall High School; he then served as a |
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defensive coordinator at Queen City High for two years before |
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landing a head coaching position at Jefferson High; in 1986, he led |
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the Jefferson Bulldogs to an undefeated season and a 3A state |
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championship, garnering Cypress Valley, District 16-AAA, and Texas |
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Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year honors; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2002, Mr. Bennett began coaching running backs |
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and inside receivers at Southern Methodist University alongside his |
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brother, head coach Phil Bennett; he later helmed the football |
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program at Linden-Kildare High before returning to Jefferson, where |
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he coached until his retirement in 2013; in recognition of his |
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exceptional work, he was inducted into the East Texas Coaches |
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Association Hall of Honor in 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Coach Bennett benefited from |
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the love and support of his wife, Tammy, and their daughter, Ashley; |
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a member of First Baptist Church Jefferson, he and Mrs. Bennett |
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taught third- and fourth-grade Sunday school for several years, and |
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he served as chair of the usher and personnel committees; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Jerry Bennett is greatly missed, he will |
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forever be remembered with admiration and affection by his loved |
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ones and by the countless other individuals whose lives he touched; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature |
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hereby pay tribute to the memory of Gerald Mack Bennett and extend |
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heartfelt sympathy to his family: to his wife of 42 years, Tammy |
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Bennett; to his daughter, Ashley Ann Bennett; to his siblings, Jim |
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Bennett and his wife, Peggy, Phil Bennett and his wife, Julie, and |
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Judy Bennett Kimberly and her husband, Kirby; and to his other |
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relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Jerry Bennett. |