Joseph Byron (J.B) Bennett Jr. long time resident of Okmulgee passed away on January 3, 2016 at his home. He was born September 1, 1934 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to Joseph (Barney) Bennett and Bonnie Marie (Brown) Bennett. J.B graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1952 and then from Northeastern State University in 1956 with three sports letterman in football, basketball and track. He married Melva Jo (Payne) Bennett on June 3, 1956 in Okmulgee.
In 1957 he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he obtained the rank of Captain. J.B purchased Greenwood Lake in Okmulgee where he worked as a life guard in 1959. He obtained his Masters Degree in counseling from Oklahoma State University in 1964 and become the head guidance counselor at Okmulgee High School, and served many years as a teacher, instructor, counselor, and coach. In 1971 J.B was elected Mayor of Okmulgee and served for three years, he later was elected State Representative for District 16 serving Okmulgee and Henryetta for two terms and then in 1980 was elected Okmulgee County Superintendent of schools. In 1992 J.B became a full time fishing guide, focusing primarily on stripers below the tailwaters of hydro-electric dams. He became a member of the American Outdoor Writers Association and wrote articles for the outdoor page of the Okmulgee Daily Times. J.B was the President of the Okmulgee Kiwanis Club, Oklahoma County Officers Association, and CREOKS Mental Health Board. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and of the Salvation Army board of directors. J.B was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing for cat fish, sand bass and stripers, hunting for deer, ducks, and doves while training dogs to chase raccoons, rabbits and quail. He competed in 5k through marathon running races, duathlons, and triathlons but most of all he loved spending time with his family. J.B. Bennett was many things and led a full life, but his defining title was an “Okmulgeean”. He loved Okmulgee and the people who lived here almost more than anything, and never wanted to be anywhere else. Greenwood Lake was his home, and his greatest joys were all the kids who swam there through the years. It was a blessing that he was able to be there for his final days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Barbara, Mabel, and Jeanne.
He is survived by wife of 59 years Melva Jo (Payne) Bennett, daughter Dana Sigalos and husband Louis of Houston, Texas, sons, Joseph Byron (Bo) Bennett and wife Melanie of LaMesa, California and Bon Bennett and wife Jamie of Bartlesville, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
In 1957 he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he obtained the rank of Captain. J.B purchased Greenwood Lake in Okmulgee where he worked as a life guard in 1959. He obtained his Masters Degree in counseling from Oklahoma State University in 1964 and become the head guidance counselor at Okmulgee High School, and served many years as a teacher, instructor, counselor, and coach. In 1971 J.B was elected Mayor of Okmulgee and served for three years, he later was elected State Representative for District 16 serving Okmulgee and Henryetta for two terms and then in 1980 was elected Okmulgee County Superintendent of schools. In 1992 J.B became a full time fishing guide, focusing primarily on stripers below the tailwaters of hydro-electric dams. He became a member of the American Outdoor Writers Association and wrote articles for the outdoor page of the Okmulgee Daily Times. J.B was the President of the Okmulgee Kiwanis Club, Oklahoma County Officers Association, and CREOKS Mental Health Board. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and of the Salvation Army board of directors. J.B was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing for cat fish, sand bass and stripers, hunting for deer, ducks, and doves while training dogs to chase raccoons, rabbits and quail. He competed in 5k through marathon running races, duathlons, and triathlons but most of all he loved spending time with his family. J.B. Bennett was many things and led a full life, but his defining title was an “Okmulgeean”. He loved Okmulgee and the people who lived here almost more than anything, and never wanted to be anywhere else. Greenwood Lake was his home, and his greatest joys were all the kids who swam there through the years. It was a blessing that he was able to be there for his final days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Barbara, Mabel, and Jeanne.
He is survived by wife of 59 years Melva Jo (Payne) Bennett, daughter Dana Sigalos and husband Louis of Houston, Texas, sons, Joseph Byron (Bo) Bennett and wife Melanie of LaMesa, California and Bon Bennett and wife Jamie of Bartlesville, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Joseph Byron (J.B) Bennett Jr. long time resident of Okmulgee passed away on January 3, 2016 at his home. He was born September 1, 1934 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to Joseph (Barney) Bennett and Bonnie Marie (Brown) Bennett. J.B graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1952 and then from Northeastern State University in 1956 with three sports letterman in football, basketball and track. He married Melva Jo (Payne) Bennett on June 3, 1956 in Okmulgee.
In 1957 he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he obtained the rank of Captain. J.B purchased Greenwood Lake in Okmulgee where he worked as a life guard in 1959. He obtained his Masters Degree in counseling from Oklahoma State University in 1964 and become the head guidance counselor at Okmulgee High School, and served many years as a teacher, instructor, counselor, and coach. In 1971 J.B was elected Mayor of Okmulgee and served for three years, he later was elected State Representative for District 16 serving Okmulgee and Henryetta for two terms and then in 1980 was elected Okmulgee County Superintendent of schools. In 1992 J.B became a full time fishing guide, focusing primarily on stripers below the tailwaters of hydro-electric dams. He became a member of the American Outdoor Writers Association and wrote articles for the outdoor page of the Okmulgee Daily Times. J.B was the President of the Okmulgee Kiwanis Club, Oklahoma County Officers Association, and CREOKS Mental Health Board. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and of the Salvation Army board of directors. J.B was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing for cat fish, sand bass and stripers, hunting for deer, ducks, and doves while training dogs to chase raccoons, rabbits and quail. He competed in 5k through marathon running races, duathlons, and triathlons but most of all he loved spending time with his family. J.B. Bennett was many things and led a full life, but his defining title was an “Okmulgeean”. He loved Okmulgee and the people who lived here almost more than anything, and never wanted to be anywhere else. Greenwood Lake was his home, and his greatest joys were all the kids who swam there through the years. It was a blessing that he was able to be there for his final days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Barbara, Mabel, and Jeanne.
He is survived by wife of 59 years Melva Jo (Payne) Bennett, daughter Dana Sigalos and husband Louis of Houston, Texas, sons, Joseph Byron (Bo) Bennett and wife Melanie of LaMesa, California and Bon Bennett and wife Jamie of Bartlesville, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
In 1957 he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he obtained the rank of Captain. J.B purchased Greenwood Lake in Okmulgee where he worked as a life guard in 1959. He obtained his Masters Degree in counseling from Oklahoma State University in 1964 and become the head guidance counselor at Okmulgee High School, and served many years as a teacher, instructor, counselor, and coach. In 1971 J.B was elected Mayor of Okmulgee and served for three years, he later was elected State Representative for District 16 serving Okmulgee and Henryetta for two terms and then in 1980 was elected Okmulgee County Superintendent of schools. In 1992 J.B became a full time fishing guide, focusing primarily on stripers below the tailwaters of hydro-electric dams. He became a member of the American Outdoor Writers Association and wrote articles for the outdoor page of the Okmulgee Daily Times. J.B was the President of the Okmulgee Kiwanis Club, Oklahoma County Officers Association, and CREOKS Mental Health Board. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and of the Salvation Army board of directors. J.B was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing for cat fish, sand bass and stripers, hunting for deer, ducks, and doves while training dogs to chase raccoons, rabbits and quail. He competed in 5k through marathon running races, duathlons, and triathlons but most of all he loved spending time with his family. J.B. Bennett was many things and led a full life, but his defining title was an “Okmulgeean”. He loved Okmulgee and the people who lived here almost more than anything, and never wanted to be anywhere else. Greenwood Lake was his home, and his greatest joys were all the kids who swam there through the years. It was a blessing that he was able to be there for his final days.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Barbara, Mabel, and Jeanne.
He is survived by wife of 59 years Melva Jo (Payne) Bennett, daughter Dana Sigalos and husband Louis of Houston, Texas, sons, Joseph Byron (Bo) Bennett and wife Melanie of LaMesa, California and Bon Bennett and wife Jamie of Bartlesville, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
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