Jerome “Jerry” Cecil Bennett

Jerome “Jerry” Cecil Bennett, age 82, passed away at Firwood Gardens in Portland, Oregon, on March 11, 2019.  He died peacefully, with his family by his side, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Jerry was born in Camas, Washington, on August 2, 1936, to Kenneth and Grace Bennett.  He was the second son out of five children.

He spent most of his life in and around Portland, Oregon.  He graduated from Sandy High School in 1955 and spent a short time as a cook in the army reserves.

During his first marriage to Barbara Spink, he became the proud father of his only child, a daughter, Gala, and became “Dad” to a step-daughter, Pamela and a step-son, Dean.

In 1975, he married the love of his life, Roberta Murphy and became “Dad” to his step-sons, Rick, David, and Jon.

After several odd jobs, he worked for Good Year Tires for 22 years until he retired.  His greatest passion, though, was for antiques and going to garage and estate sales.  He did flea markets and estate sales with his sister Kate until his health no longer allowed him to do so.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Bennett, his mother, Grace (Griffiths) Bennett, and his brothers, Jonathan Bennett and Kerry Bennett.

He is survived by his wife, Roberta (Murphy) Bennett; his daughter, Gala (Bennett) Fort; his sisters Gwen (Darrell) Russell and Kathleen (James) Draheim; his stepsons Rick (Linda) Murphy, David (Kimberly) Murphy, Jon (Andrea) Murphy, and Dean (Dawn) Miller; and step-daughter, Pamela (Elwin) Phillips; grandchildren Scott (Rachel) Fort and Erin (Fort) McKee; great-grandchildren Paige Fort, Taylor Fort, Christian McKee, and Brantley Rebarchek; step-grandchildren Erin (Brad) Vollmer, Lynn Murphy, Elizabeth Murphy, and Fiona Murphy; step-great-grandchildren Logan Vollmer, Payton Vollmer, Odin Murphy, and Freida Murphy; any many nieces and nephews.

Cremation services are being provided by Omega Funeral Home and his final resting place will be at Portland Memorial.

A Celebration of Life and pot luck will be held on Saturday, March 16^th at 1 pm at his sister Kate’s house at 208 NE 126^th in Portland. CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS