Bennett Howard Anderson's Obituary
ANDERSON, BENNETT HOWARD Our precious Bennett closed his eyes on Saturday, February 1, 2014 surrounded by his family and close friends, and opened them in Heaven, and the Lord said, “Well done – my good and faithful servant.” Words cannot begin to describe the impact of this wonderful man, Bennett Anderson. A life-long resident of the Dallas area, Bennett was a graduate of North Dallas High School, going on to work for several police departments. Among these were Plano, Dallas, Richardson, Amarillo, and the Dallas City Marshal’s office. Until his passing, he served as a Reserve Police Officer for the Dallas Police Department’s Reserve Battalion, where he was recently honored for 58 years as the longest serving licensed police officer in the State of Texas. In 1959 he married the love of his life, Darlene, and, together, they raised four wonderful children: Keith, Judy, Sharon, and Kyle. Except for a brief 4 to 5 years in Amarillo, they made their home in Richardson, where, together they built a family business, American Tool & Fastener. Bennett remained active in this business as President until his passing. Although born in this world in 1936, his real life began when he was re-born in Christ at the age of 22, with baptism at Wilshire Baptist Church. He and Darlene then dedicated their lives to serving God at First Baptist Dallas, raising their children so that God would always be the center of their lives. This faith was the cornerstone of his life and served him until his home-going last week when God spoke to him, in the middle of the night, saying to him, “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Bennett is preceded in death by his son, Keith and daughter, Judy. He will be missed by his wife, Darlene, his daughter, Sharon Anderson, and son, Kyle Anderson, and his wife Cindy; by his beloved grandchildren, Jennifer Brookhart and her husband, Ryan, Peyton and Cooper Anderson, and Jose Gonzalez; by his great-grandchildren,Gavin and Trevor Brookhart. He also leaves behind two brothers, Gerald, who so lovingly helped care for him this last year, and his wife Elizabeth, of Plano, and Bobby and his wife Pat of Boerne. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make contributions to The American Cancer Society. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home, Dallas. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Dallas, with burial to follow at Restland Memorial Park, Dr. Robert Jeffress officiating.
What’s your fondest memory of Bennett?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bennett?
Share a story where Bennett's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bennett you’ll never forget.
How did Bennett make you smile?