Lt. Col. Cyril "Tex" Bennett

A funeral mass celebrating the life of Cyril Anthony “Tex” Bennett, Lt. Col, USAF Retired, 89, of West Monroe, LA will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 6, 2024, at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Monroe, LA with The Rev. Joseph Martina, Jr. officiating. Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL.

Cyril Anthony “Tex” Bennett, Lt. Col, USAF, Retired, was born on July 26, 1935 and passed away on December 2, 2024. He was a member of the National Contract Management Association; Air Force Association; Alpha Sigma Beta Fraternity, Manhattan College, NYC; Highbridge of Nights of LaSalle of Manhattan College, NYC; Military Officers Association of America; Supporter of the Highline Train of NYC; N Scale Model Train Club; The Legion of Mary and Holy Face Society; and St. Matthews Catholic Church. On June 10, 1958, he received his Air Force Commission; September 1958, Lackland AFB, TX; September 1958, Malder AB, Missouri; January 1959, James Conally AFB, TX; 1960 Suffolk County AFB NY; 1969, Interceptor Weapons School, Tyndall AFB, FL; 1974 Otis AFB, Massachusetts; 1974-76 Eglin AFB, FL; Bergstrom AFB, TX; Yokota AB, Japan, Cannon AFB, New Mexico, AF Jr. ROTC Orlando, FL. Lt. Col. Bennett grew up on the Broadway stage in New York City, with the stage name, Cyril Ryecroft, where he was a child actor and the Gerber Baby of the Year in 1936.

During his service in the Air Force he received numerous medals and commendations which include: Distinguished Flying Cross with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Nine Devices, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Block II, Navigator (Air Operations General), Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Squadron Navigator RF 4-C, Combat Readiness Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long Tour; Air Force Longevity Service Award with Six Devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

Survivors include his wife, Jo Ann Justus Bennett; daughter, Grace Bennett; son, Gregory Justus Bennett and grandson, Thomas Justus Bennett; daughter, Anne Kristen Ryecroft Bennett- Colaricci and husband, Joe; sister and brother-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Mason, Waterford, CT.

Pallbearers will be Gregory Justus Bennett, Danny Thomas, Tim Justus, Billy Jones, Ronnie Tisdale, and Lavaugn Tisdale.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. on Friday December 6. 2024, at Mulhearn Funeral Home West Monroe, LA.