The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Mark David Bennett, 70, of Bridge City, Texas, was killed in a motorcycle accident at the intersection of FM 1406 and Hwy 365 near Winnie. He passed away at the scene on February 21, 2024. He died happy doing the thing he was most passionate about.... taking a "putt" on his new "2023" Aztec Gold Road Glide Harley Davidson. From his youth, Mark had a passion for riding motorcycles that never wavered. He took pleasure in taking the scenic route, exploring new roads whenever and wherever he could. A lover of good food, Mark enjoyed trying different "mom and pop" restaurants, always eager to taste new dishes and savor unique culinary experiences. Mark immersed himself in stories of adventure on two wheels whether it was his own experiences or through others. That is why he enjoyed reading Road Runner Motorcycle Touring and Travel Magazine so much. Knowing of his life-long love for riding, his remaining family members are better able to cope with his tragic and untimely death. In this time of mourning, let us celebrate the life of Mark.... a man who lived fully, loved wholeheartedly, and left an indelible mark on all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, on March 1, 1953, he was the son of John Carthen Bennett and Nel Ernestine (Laborde) Bennett. He was born at St. Mary Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas at 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The hospital was quiet except for Mark's loud cries. He wanted the world to know he had arrived. He always had a zest for life that was truly remarkable. In his teen years, Mark delivered the Port Arthur News. His route included both sides of Lansing Avenue, one block of 42d Street and all of Park Place IV. It was the newspaper's largest route. He was very proud when he was selected 1st Runner-up for Paperboy of the Year in the late 60's. After five years of faithful service, Mark gave up the route. It was divided into three separate ones after his departure. Upon graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1971, Mark attended college at Lamar University for one year. He decided it was not the road he wanted to travel. He moved to Galveston, Texas, where he worked in the grocery industry. He took full advantage of living by the water, enjoying driving down the beach in his dune buggy, swimming and surfing. It was at a Denny's Restaurant in the "Oleander City" where he met his future wife, Katrina Dawn Deschene. They married in 1978. They had two sons. Loren Troy Bennett and Cimeron Lee Bennett. Soon after the boys entered their school years, Mark moved his family to Winnemucca, Nevada. In "Winny" Mark's life revolved around his job at a gold mine and the boys and their activities. It was not unusual for him to take 10-12 young boys with him to camp, boat and water ski at Rye Patch. He took several of his boys' friends on vacations with his family. Many of these young men have very fond memories of those times. Mark and Katrina divorced in 2006. Mark relocated to Reno making it his home for several years. He reentered the grocery business working for Raley's American Grocery Stores. Meanwhile, the dynamics of the Bennett family was changing. An awareness that Mark's mom would soon be unable to live on her own was becoming apparent. She would need more help. Mark decided to move back home to Bridge City, TX to help his two sisters care for their mother. He moved in with his mom and became her on-site caregiver. He took excellent care of her for almost 5 years. With his two sisters carrying their fair share of the load, the three were very proud of the fact that their mother was able to live out her life in the comfort of her own home on her beloved Cow Bayou. No one could have done a better job than those three. After his mother's passing, Mark took a delivery job at DXP. He worked for that company for about one year. When his oldest sister's husband died in 2022, Mark willingly took on the task of looking after her and her needs. He walked down to see her almost every day and shared his time with her and her three cats. He loved those kitties. He also enjoyed many activities with his younger sister and her husband, too. Mark could be found riding behind them as they traveled down the road on their trike, Sun Glo. The three frequently stopped at HD dealerships along their route.

It was not unusual to see the whole Bennett clan together, especially at events like Flea Feast where the two men manned a vendor booth while the two women shopped. They were and still are a close-knit family.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, John and Nel Bennett, as well as his brother-in-law, Ted L. Walters.

Mark is survived by:

His two sons:

Loren Troy Bennett and wife, Maria.

Cimeron Lee Bennett and wife, Suree.

His two grandchildren:

Avery Hana Bennett and Carter Lee Bennett. All live in Goodyear, AZ.

His two sisters:

Cathy Lynn Walters of Bridge City, TX.

Lisa Firmin and husband, Wayne of Groves, TX.

His two best friends:

David Thompson of West, TX.

Greg Veazey of Houston, TX.

Following his wishes, Mark was cremated under the directions of Claybar Funeral Home.

In a private moment, his ashes will be scattered in a "special" location that has great meaning for his remaining family members.