John Lysle Bennett

 JOHN LYSLE BENNETT

June 6, 1953 – July 30, 2014

John Lysle Bennett was a victim of a horrendous auto accident in Durango, Colorado July 30, 2014.  He was employed with Hellman Motor Company of Delta.  John was born June 6, 1953 in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Lysle Lee Bennett and Alice Marie (Gregg) Bennett.  He and Jamie  Burlison-Workman were married on May 21, 2011, In Casa Grande, Arizona.

John attended first grade at Nucla, Colorado, then moved to Montrose where he attended 2^nd through 8^th grades.  In 1967 John’s family moved to Overland, Missouri,  where he completed his education.

John spent most of his adult life pursuing a music career, including on-the-road engagements and ultimately stood on the stage at Grand Ole Opery in Nashville.  He performed with the likes of Marty Robins, Cal Smith, and B. B. Watson.  He had a rare musical ear and most recently he performed at the fund-raising tea at Colona School south of Montrose.  John helped many young artists get their start in music endeavors.  John had a love affair with cars.  He proudly restored many vintage cars which he sold to collectors. He had hundreds of friends all over the world!

Survivors include his wife Jamie of the Olathe area, his  mother Alice Marie Bennett, Uncle Albert  Smith of Tucson, Arizona.  Also Jamie’s son Michael Workman (Kelcy) and twin daughters,  Edith and Phoebe; son Brian Workman (Trisha) and sons Nathan and Konner; and daughter Leslie Workman and children Lilyanna and Steven.  John’s sister Mary Alice Bennett Abram (Ronald Fladung); sister Katherine Bennett Wilhoit (Ronnie Gene Wilhoit), all from Tucson, Arizona.    He is also survived by nieces Marcie Wilhoit Scruggs of Overland, Missouri, Dorinda Abram Busby of Casa Grande, Arizona, and Machelle Wilhoit Thornsberry of Crocker, Missouri.  Further he is survived by cousins, Beverly Smith Cardenas of Montrose, Karen Smith McDonald, San Antonio, Texas, and Great Aunt Dorothy McBride from Minnesota.  Also Great Nieces and Nephews Keith Scruggs, Jessica Scruggs, Kyle Thornsberry, Jude and Bennett Busby.  He is also survived by in-laws Ruth and Jim Burlison and sister-in-law Terri Lopez.

Preceding him in death was his father Lysle Bennett, and Grandparents Charles Bennett and John and Emma Dye.

Memorial services are under the direction of Crippin Mortuary and will be held at Crippin Chapel at 802 East Main Street in Montrose on Wednesday, August 6^th at 2:00 p.m.