Richmond Oliver Bennett III

Richmond Oliver Bennett, III finished his race surrounded by his loving family and returned to the Lord on May 10, 2025. Son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Richmond Oliver Bennett, Jr., he was born in Dallas, Texas on February 25, 1945. After living across Texas and Louisiana, he settled with his parents in Beaumont when his father began teaching at Lamar State College.

Richmond graduated from Beaumont High School in 1963, where he played football and ran in the Texas Schoolboy Relays (shockingly new information for his children!). He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Lamar State College in 1968 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1970.

Richmond married his high school sweetheart, Judith Eileen Reimers, in 1967. His career began in academia at Stephen F. Austin State University before turning to client service at Peat Marwick Mitchell & Company in Houston. Richmond and Judie returned to Beaumont with their family in 1973. Over the past 50 years, Richmond has been a store of wisdom and straight advice for his clients and his community. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Beaumont and contributed his time and his talents (mostly counting money raised) to his children’s schools and his church.

Richmond’s preferred place in this life was in a hunting blind, on a fishing boat, or in the stands cheering on his children (and later his grandchildren). He crisscrossed Texas doing all three things. Richmond was always ready with a story, or a lesson learned from his days in the A&M Corps of Cadets, on the football field or in the duck marsh. To his children’s chagrin, all of life’s questions and troubles could be addressed with a physics lesson. He was a source of strength, support and protection for his family, his friends and his employees. He was a man of quiet faith and deep waters who valued honesty, loyalty and education. To paraphrase his mother-in-law Martie, Richmond may not have been the first person you called for a party, but he was absolutely the first one you called in a jam. His six grandchildren were his greatest delight.

Richmond is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Judith Reimers Bennett; children, Richmond Arthur Bennett and wife, Molly Hartnett Bennett; Megan Reimers Bennett; Lindsay Lea Bennett Zummo and husband, Stephen Frank Zummo; grandchildren, Richmond Arthur Bennett II; Ella Katherine Bennett; Stephen Bennett Zummo; Oliver Howard Bennett; Russell Wayland Zummo; Franklin Reimers Zummo; sister, Vicki Lynn Bennett Timmons and husband, David Timmons; brother-in-law, John Charles Reimers and wife, Rebecca Kilpatrick Reimers; niece, Rebecca Jan Reimers George and husband, Rob; nephew, John Jefferson Reimers and wife, Kelly; niece, Kelsey Rose Timmons; great-nieces, Lucy, Clarey, Tessa and Sabine and great-nephew, Tres.

Richmond was preceded in death by his parents, Richmond Oliver Bennett, Jr. and Loraine Kennedy Bennett; Judie’s parents, Arthur Francis Reimers and Martha Gaskin Reimers.

Richmond especially valued his colleagues Amy Collins, Sheila Hight and everyone at Richmond Bennett & Co. His family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to Emily Velayo, Catherine Hubilla, Estela Colunga, and Bobbie Wolfe.

In lieu of flowers, Richmond’s family asks that memorial donations be made to Trinity Day School, PO Box 5247, Beaumont, Texas 77726; St. Anne Catholic School, 375 North 11^th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702; or Lamar University School of Accounting, Finance and Economics, PO Box 10009, Beaumont, Texas 77710.

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-7.

Here.

A memorial service for Mr. Bennett will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 16, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.