BENNETT, Gene Wilbur

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, August 02, 2015 Gene Wilbur Bennett, 74, an Arizona native from a fourth-generation Yavapai County pioneer family, passed away on July 12, 2015. Gene was born on July 20, 1940, in Prescott, Arizona, the son of Eugene Theodore Bennett and Josie Edgel (Surrett) Bennett. From an early age, he had a passion for mining, machines and hard work, and he was happiest panning for gold, running heavy equipment, or wrenching on an engine, working from sun-up to sunset. He worked mining and road construction, as a mechanic or welder, and as a heavy equipment operator. A self-made man, he ran several different businesses in his lifetime, including some open pit mines in the Southwest. He panned gold from Big Bug, Arizona, to Gold Mine, Utah, to Alaska, and always dreamed of finding the mother lode. In 2006, he sold G & S Sand and Gravel, Big Bug Creek, outside of Mayer, Arizona, a business that he was proud of having developed, together with his wife and life partner of more than 25 years, Susan Dumont. Following the sale of G & S, Gene moved to Clinton, Maine, to be near his wife's family and to try his hand at retirement. During those years in Maine, he enjoyed the cooler summers and the company and warm welcome of the Dumont Family, including mother-in-law Gloria Dumont, and four brothers-in-law, Anthoney, Peter, Russell, and Michael Dumont, their wives, and many children. His life was as colorful as his many tattoos. Those life adventures and travels took him many places, including serving as a cook and being a champion boxer in the Navy during his service in the South Pacific. He met many people along the way. The people that he cherished most were his family, co-workers and employees. The place he cherished most was Arizona. Gene is predeceased by his parents and is survived by his wife, Susan Dumont; his siblings, Sherrol (Eldon deceased) Pitts and Robert (Kris) Bennett; his children, Ronnie Bennett, Sterling (Crystal) Bennett, John Bennett; stepson R. Jeffrey (Millis) Sanford; stepdaughter Jennifer (Doran) Emery; and adopted daughter Donna Crum Porter; grandchildren Jessica, Jamie, and Liston; and many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., Prescott, Arizona 86301, in memory of Gene W. Bennett. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Information provided by survivors.