Marshall Bennett

Mr. Marshall "Ben" Woodrow Bennett, 100, of Bartlesville, passed away November 8, 2013. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2013 at First Church of Bartlesville (formerly First United Methodist Church) with Dr. Kevin Tully officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Walker-Brown Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: First Church of Bartlesville, PO Box 3636, Bartlesville, OK 74006. Ben was born March 23, 1913 at Hugo, OK to Vestor and Inez (Carrell) Bennett. He married Evelyn Northcutt on August 12, 1939 at Stroud, OK and was happily married for over 74 years. Coming from a large family, Marshall spent a good deal of time with his three old maid Aunties who helped with his upbringing and played a large role in getting him enrolled in college. Marshall obtained an Industrial Engineering Degree from Oklahoma A&M now Oklahoma State University. He worked for Phillips Petroleum Company from 1935 to 1941 in Oklahoma City as all Phillips Engineering graduates were assigned to work in the oil fields for a short training period. Starting pay was .35 cents per hour. He was transferred to Bartlesville in 1941. He worked for Phillips Petroleum when "Uncle Frank" Phillips was still alive. He retired from Phillips with 32 years of service. At this time he became interested in other businesses. Marshall and Evelyn were one of the pioneers in the development of East Frank Phillips Boulevard between the Caney River Bridge and Highway 75. His father looked over his recent purchase and said, "son, you just bought a hole in the ground." They purchased over an acre of land on East Frank Phillips Boulevard where the Ocean China Restaurant now stands. Ben and Evelyn owned Ben's Real Estate, supplying the community with affordable housing for over 60 years. At one time, Ben and Evelyn owned over 150 properties. Ben was considered an entrepreneur by the many people that knew him. He always had wonderful new business ideas and didn't mind sharing them with others. In 2000 Ben decided to expand his business and opened Ben's Used Cars on West Frank Phillips Boulevard. At 92 years of age, Ben retired from Ben's Real Estate and Ben's Used Cars. Marshall has been a member of the First United Methodist Church for over 70 years, where he and Evelyn were very active. Marshall is survived by his daughter, Carroll A. Sturm and son-in-law, Don "Butch" Sturm of Bartlesville. He was blessed with five grandchildren; Lisa A. Covey of Bartlesville, Denise and husband J.C. Marquez of Bartlesville, Gary Lorenz and wife Shannon of Pasadena, CA, David Bennett and wife Stephanie of Stillwater, Elizabeth Ann and husband George Hanlon of Broken Arrow. Seven great grandchildren; Daniel Marquez, Matthew Marquez, Cole Bennett, Aubrey Bennett, Sarah Hanlon, Chris Covey, Philip Covey and wife Teresa and their two sons, Todd and Tyler Hastings. Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Bennett, one son, Phillip Ronald Bennett, his parents, Vestor and Inez Bennett, brothers, Garland, Benson, Charlie and sister Vivian.

Marshall Bennett

March 23, 1913 - November 8, 2013