Lt. Col. Michael Gordon Bennett, Usaf (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Michael Gordon Bennett, USAF (Ret.), 79, of Seattle, passed away at his home on Sunday, August 14, 2022 with his family at his side. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at the Eastside Apostolic UPC, 2015 Richards Road, Bellevue, Washington 98005 with the Reverend Andrew Seagraves officiating. Private family burial with military honors will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery later that afternoon.

Michael was born on September 4, 1942 in Tucson, Arizona to Gordon and Betty (McPherson) Bennett.  His father was in the Air Force and, as such, the family moved frequently throughout Michael’s childhood.  After graduating high school, Michael joined the United States Navy and qualified as a Sonarman in submarines, serving on the USS Perch and USS Raton.

It was in the Navy that Michael met Leroy Waldrip who witnessed to him about God and took Michael to church in San Diego, California.  It was there that Michael received the Holy Ghost and was baptized in Jesus’ name by Pastor David Gray.  In 1963, Michael enrolled at Western Apostolic Bible College where he met his wife, Christine Mueller.  They were married on Friday the 13th, August of 1965.

Michael returned to military service in 1984 when he entered the United States Air Force as a military chaplain. He retired from active duty in 1994 but remained in the Air Force Reserves until his eventual retirement at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Michael is survived by his wife Christine; sons Andrew Michael Bennett (wife Kimberly) and Timothy Michael Bennett (wife Emma) and his daughter Rachael Elisabeth Bennett-Marcus (husband Tomeko Marcus).  Michael is also survived by his grandchildren Landon Bennett, Calah Cummins (husband Kyle), Alexis Bennett, Justin Bennett, Regan Bennett, Calayia Marcus, Byron Stair and Heather Luttrell; his sister Ruth Bennett, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Memorial contributions in Michael’s honor are suggested to the Tupelo Children's Mansion, PO Box 167 Tupelo, MS 38802 or online at www.mansionkids.org

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg, Washington has been entrusted with caring for Lt. Col. Bennett and his family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com

PLEASE NOTE: (January 11, 2024) -- The recording of the committal service has been archived and removed from our server.  If you wish to obtain a copy of this recording on a thumb drive, please contact our office. The recording of the church service was provided by the church - please contact the church for more information about that recording.