David Thompson Bennett

David Thompson Bennett passed away on Thursday February 10th with his children by his side—He was 83.

Dave was born in Red Deer, Alberta Canada May 25, 1938 to Fred and Margaret Bennett. He spent his early years in Canada, before moving to Salem, Oregon when he was in Junior High School. After a brief time there, the family moved to Tacoma, where Dave went to Lincoln High School, graduated in 1956 then joined the Air Force and served for a year in Saudi Arabia as an intelligence officer.

He met the love of his life, Delene Ida Wolf when he was 15 and Delene was 14 at Temple Baptist Church in Tacoma. They dated for a few years and married January 31, 1958 when he was 18 and Delene was 17, just prior to their USAF relocation to Texas. After finishing that tour of duty, they returned to Tacoma to settle down and start their family.

They had 3 children—Debbie, Dan and Rick, and lived in North Tacoma until 1969, when they moved to Gig Harbor.

Dave turned his love for cars into his first career, and from the early 1960’s through the mid 1980’s, Dave was a successful entrepreneur owning and operating numerous local service station businesses. Dave worked hard over the years to provide for his family, and earned a reputation for good business practices and integrity. During this time, Dave & Delene attended Temple Baptist Church, and Dave served in the bus ministry at the church.

In the 1980’s Dave sold his last couple of service stations, and started his second career as a Realtor serving Gig Harbor and the surrounding area. During his time in real estate he worked for Gig Harbor Realty, then moved to John L Scott, where he remained for the rest of his real estate career. He was a local favorite of lenders, other agents and escrow, for his solid business practices, consistency and integrity. 

From the 1980’s through the rest of his life, he attended Life Center in Tacoma with Delene and the family. He sang in the choir for 20 years, and served on the Church Board for a number of years.  He cherished that time, and made many friends over his years there.

Dave always had a hard work ethic, and over the years things did not always go the way he had planned.  When that happened, he worked harder, and smarter to provide for his family and their future.  Over the years, he always enjoyed American muscle cars, and always seemed to have one he was restoring and driving.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in his early 70’s, and as he was navigating those challenges, was diagnosed with Amyloidosis. During his fight with this rare disease, his kidneys were compromised, and he became reliant on dialysis for the last 5 years of his life.

When he lost Delene 4 years ago, his daughter Debbie came back home to be his caregiver.  With her help, he was able to remain at home his final years, which was always his hope.

Dave is survived by his children; Debbie Bennett, Dan Bennett and his wife Debi, Rick Bennett and his wife Mindy; four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren; and his sister Mae Boyington.  In addition, there are too many friends to mention here—He loved you all, and was grateful for your friendship.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         His family is comforted knowing that he is in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, free from all pain and sufffering.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    His celebration of life will be at Life Center's Central Campus located at 1717 So. Union in Tacoma ,on March 31st at 1:00.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         In lieu of flowers, Dave asked that anyone interested, make donations to the Delene Bennett scholarship fund at Life Center.

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