Thomas C. Bennett Jr.

Thomas C. Bennett, Jr., 82, Bradenton, Fla., died March 18, 2006. Born in Quitman, Ga., he came to Manatee County, in 1982, from Miami, Fla. He was a real estate broker and developer, with Bennett Realty. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He served on the Board of Directors of Horizon Bank and was developer of Cypress Creek Estates and Manatee River RV Park and was donor of Thomas Bennett Park. He was a life member of the Kiwanis Club, past president of Methodist Men's Club, and was the first manufacturer of fiberglass boats in the south. He is predeceased by his wife, Jacqueline Woodham Bennett; daughter, Cheryl Higgins. Survivors include daughter, Rosemary (Mike) Bealle, Omaha, Neb.; sons, Mike (Pamela), Cape Coral, Fla., Richard (Sally), Parrish, Fla.; sister, Mildred Norulak, Cooper City, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be today from 6-8p.m., at Griffith-Cline Funeral Home, Manatee Avenue Chapel. Services will be Wednesday, March 22, 1p.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be at Sylvan Grove Cemetery, in Midland City, Ala. Memorial contributions may be made to Sylvan Grove United Methodist Cemetery Fund, c/o Mildred Dease, 9296 C.R. 67, Midland City, AL 36350.