Brett Bennett

HOUSTON, Texas - Nov. 1, 2022, was the day of passing for Brett Thomas Bennett. Brett was a 2014 graduate of Valley View High School.

At Valley View, Brett co-founded the Motorcycle Club with his beloved teacher Jesse Gunter and his father Marty. He was proud to be a part of the school's burgeoning wrestling program under Ryan Kibler, whose passion he admired and reflected.

He also contributed to the school's football program under the leadership of the equally passionate Shannon Sherman and the team progressed to the state semifinals, the furthest in the program's history at that point. Brett admired Shannon and his wife Holly who knew his passion and encouraged him to use sports as an outlet for the intense side of his personality.

When not participating in sports, Brett, never a fan of a dull moment, loved to ham it up in plays under the guidance of Megan Harrell. His English teacher, Joanne Steed, commended Brett for the level of specificity with which he wrote about the painful aspects of his life and the peculiar yet poignant observations which could only come from a mind as active as his.

Brett was a gifted artist from canvas to paper, but it was his passion for music that would take him on a magical journey through his shortened life.

After high school, Brett attended King's College in New York City where he added to his already well-built stable of cherished friendships, and he also learned techniques of musical production he would continue to develop throughout his life.

From birth, Brett had a special connection to music. Music, both listening to it and creating it, was medicinal for him. The relationships he made in his adult life were often based on the bond of the music he was interested in and the music he made. He and his collaborators played shows in New York City, Memphis, Jonesboro and Houston, just to name a few places.

Brett felt he expressed himself most freely through his music, and through his musical productions, he created sonic palettes for other people to do the same.

Brett's genuine, spontaneous and child-like approach to life was contagious. Many people felt most alive in his presence as he could pack a lifetime's worth of adventures into a single day. If you needed someone to take a road trip to California, Brett was your man.

At times, Brett's journey could be incredibly difficult in many ways as he struggled with what doctors call bipolar disorder and what nobody fully understands. His mind raced so fast at times that the rest of him could not catch up. While he passed young, he experienced more than a lifetime's worth of thought and emotion and his companionship often felt like that of an old soul at the end of his journey.

Although he experienced extreme challenges along his life's journey he found salvation in his love for his friends, his family, his music and Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Dr. James Bennett and Coach Howard Cissell, and cousin, Jon Michael Cissell.

He leaves behind the love of his life, Lee Walters of Houston, Texas; his parents, Marty and Deanna Bennett of Jonesboro; his sister, Lindsey (Chris) Groth of Birmingham, Ala.; brother, Bryce Bennett (wife, Dr. Marijke DeVos) of Philadelphia; and his grandmothers, Sharon Bennett of Hot Springs and Janie Cissell of Jonesboro.

He also leaves behind eight aunts and uncles, Dr. John Bennett (Tina) of Louisville, Ky., Howard Cissell Jr. (Cindy) of Denham Springs, La., Jon Cissell of Atlanta, Dr. Kathy Ensor of Houston and Jan Bennett Arant (Michael) of Jonesboro, as well as 15 cousins, a niece and nephew, and countless friends and relatives.

Brett was put on this earth to make the world a better place and we are so blessed for having him in our lives. He will be missed beyond what any words can describe but his shortened presence and his love for mankind will leave an everlasting impact never to be forgotten.

A Mass of Christian burial will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with the Rev. Martin Amaro officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will be private with Ben Balserak, Coy Davenport, Jacob Troutt, Bryce Bennett, Chris Groth and Joe Barbour serving as pallbearers.

Visitation will be from noon until service time at Blessed Sacrament.

Online registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com