Thomas Henry Bennett

Tom Bennett, 86, of Independence, MO, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday August 4, 2023. Tom was born in Saginaw, Michigan on June 21, 1937, to Ezra and Virginia Bennett. Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathleen, daughters Sherrie Buckley (Anthony) of Mullingar, Ireland and Debra Bennett of Minneapolis, MN, brother Guy Bennett (Dawn) of Bridgeport, MI, and many other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Earl and Gary. Tom graduated Saginaw High School and received as AD from Graceland College Lamoni, IA in 1957, and a BS degree in Business from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio in June 1959. In July of 1959 he was drafted into the United States Army and spent the next 2 years in Germany working in the Seventh Army Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. After working a year in Saginaw, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas to attend KU law school. After graduation in 1965 he started working at First National Bank in Kansas City in the Trust Department. In 1970 he was asked to become the General Counsel for the Community of Christ Church, a position he held for 33 years. During this time, he was also General Counsel for Independence Regional Health Center (The San) and Resthaven Nursing Home (The Groves). During his work for the Church he was able to travel to Mexico, Canada, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and the Philippines and interact with attorneys all over the world on behalf of the church, Tom also served his local congregation, South Crysler, as Pastor and Financial Officer. After retirement he served as a Chaplain at Independence Regional Health Center and Centerpoint Medical Center for 25 years. He was on the Salvation Army Independence Corp Advisory Board for 20 years and the Community of Christ Health Ministry Association Board. Tom and Kathy were fortunate to travel to visit their daughters in Europe and cruise to Alaska and the Adriatic Sea (Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Croatia). Tom was an avid reader and enjoyed church history, Civil War History, and WWII history. His sense of humor and willingness to serve will be missed. The family would like to thank Crossroads Hospice for their guidance and care during his final weeks. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday August 18, 2023, at Stone Church in Independence, MO, as 4:00pm with a visitation from 2-4:00pm.

Memorial contributions can be made to Community of Christ World Church, Salvation Army Independence Corp (centralusa.salvationarmy.org) and Outreach International (Outreach-international.org).

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com