David Bennett
David Bennett, 57, of Monticello, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009.
He was born on August 6, 1952 in Dodge County, to the late William Ross Bennett and his mother Hazel Roland Bennett, who survives him. Mr. Bennett attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. He was a member of the Monticello First United Methodist Church.
He was the Executive Director of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Mr. Bennett began his career with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission in 1974 as a Field Representative and later a Regional Representative where he worked to establish the Commission’s first southeast Georgia regional office. Mr. Bennett led the Commission’s Statesboro and Milledgeville Regional offices.
He accepted the position of Deputy Executive Director in 1999 and following the retirement of Director F. Graham Liles, Jr. in 2003, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue named Mr. Bennett as the Executive Director of GSWCC in June 2003. Mr. Bennett retired from the Commission in December 2005, and became the first Executive Director for GACDS from January 2006 until 2007.
He was a crucial part of the planning and execution of the 2006 NACD Legislative Tour in Georgia. This tour attracted congressional staff from around the U.S., and the benefits from this tour are still being reaped by Georgia Agriculture, especially during the recent Farm Bill negotiations. Mr. Bennett received numerous service awards from the State of Georgia, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors. Among them are these; GACDS Leadership Award, GACDS Superior Professional Support to Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Goodyear Conservation Award, Past member of the Governor’s Agricultural Advisory Task Force and in 2008 was an inductee into the NACD Southeast Hall of Fame.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Carey Tuck Bennett of Monticello; mother, Mrs. Hazel Bennett of Eastman; son, William David Bennett, II, of Cordele; brother and sister-in-law: Danny and Terri Bennett of Cochran; sister, Betty J. Garrard of Jacksonville Fla.; sister and brother-in-law, LeeAnn and John Wynns of Roswell; nieces, nephews, other family and close friends.
The family was to receive friends at Harwell-Wheeler Funeral Home in Covington from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. Funeral services were to be held Friday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m., Monticello First United Methodist with Rev. John Brown officiating. Interment will follow at the Old Concord Church Cemetery in Monticello. Friends may sign the on-line registry at: www.wheelerfuneralhome.com.
Harwell-Wheeler Funeral Home, 2157 East Street, Covington, GA 30014 was in charge of the arrangements, 770-786-2524.