Lloyd M. Bennett passed away Thursday, April 6, 2017. He was born November 22, 1928, in Columbus, Indiana. He was the youngest of four children born to George E. and Clara Whitehorn Bennett. He graduated from Columbus High School and went to college at Ball State University where he received his bachelor's degree in Education. He then went on to Butler University where he was awarded a Master of Science degree. He has a short career as a chemist at Firestone Tire and Rubber. Always eager for more education, he then resumed his duties at the University of Texas, earning a Master of Science degree in genetics. While at Texas, he met Pat Davis who became his wife. They were married at University Christian Church in Austin on November 28, 1956. For the first two years of their marriage, they lived in Taylor, Texas where both taught school and discovered a love for kolaches. Lloyd then got serious about finishing his Ph.D. and so they moved to Tallahassee, Florida where he completed his degree at Florida State University. While in Florida, they increased their family by two daughters.

As he was fond of saying, "Of course, we came back to Texas. I married a Texan." They settled in Denton, where Lloyd taught at Texas Woman's University for more than 30 years. Lloyd also was a Fulbright Scholar in Ismailia, Egypt and worked for UNESCO in the Philippines. He was a U.S. Army, Lt. Col., Medical Service Corps, U.S. Army Retired and was in the National Guard when he was younger. Lloyd was also a 32d degree Mason. Lloyd was a avid UT athletics and Dallas Cowboys fan and loved all sports, often functioning as an armchair referee. He had the greenest of thumbs and loved working in his yard. He cherished his family, especially his grandchildren. In addition, Lloyd had been very active in two churches in Denton - the Christian Church and Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Pat Bennett; his two daughters, Jo Bennett and her partner Jose Diaz and Beth Cestari and her husband Joseph; and three grandchildren, Nicholas, Zach, and Taylor Cestari. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Our Daily Bread in Denton.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Denton at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 7, 2017.