Stanley Calvin Bennett passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully at his home in Exeter, Calif. on Sept. 1, 2023.
He was born in Visalia on Aug. 9, 1954 to Calvin (Cal) Bennett and Elsie (Stoeffler) Bennett Ballinger. Stan was a life-long Visalian, where he attended George McCann for eight years, and graduated from Redwood High School in 1972. He was proud of the Cowhides he won and lost during his three-year stint on the varsity team. He went on to play football at College of the Sequoias.
Stanley Calvin Bennett
1954–2023
As much as Stan loved being a well-known member of the Visalia community, he was incredibly hardworking and humble. Cal Bennett’s Office Supply was started by his father in 1964, and Stan started at the bottom cleaning toilets and helping out with the family business. He learned the ins and outs and eventually worked his way up to sharing an office with his father, Cal. Growing pains found Cal Bennett’s expanding to its current location at 615 N. Plaza Drive, where All-Ways Moving was born. Stan believed in working hard, cultivating lasting relationships and empowering others to do the same. Stan offered unsolicited advice often about the life lessons he gained from growing up and working in a small town. His motto was: “Everything I’ve learned, I learned from somebody else!”
Stan never met a stranger and was active in his community. He was visible on numerous boards as well as involved in a variety of organizations and community outreaches. His love of the community was launched during his participation in the Junior Chamber of Commerce, where he was elected president in 1979. He loved Visalia and supporting the “buying local” initiative to champion other small businesses in their endeavors. He also enjoyed coaching pop-warner football, refereeing basketball, coaching/cheering-on his children’s athletic teams, teaching Sunday School, leading Bible studies, and most recently becoming a Courage to Change mentor.
His interests and hobbies included flying airplanes, going to the beach, fishing, reading, listening to music, motorcycle riding, and all things grandkids. Stan has eight beautiful grandchildren, all whom lovingly and energetically call him “Pop.”
On May 26, 1979, Stan married Tamra (Nesbitt), his best friend, and the love of his life. If you ever asked Stan, his number one regret in life was “not marrying Tamra three years sooner.” Stan and Tamra celebrated 44 years together, this past May. Together, they raised four children, all who followed in his footsteps by attending Redwood High School and were involved in athletics to show their Ranger pride.
Included with being a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and business owner, Stan loved being a Christian. His faith was powerful and inspirational. He faithfully spent time with the Lord and would write down scripture, thoughts and anecdotes to his daily readings. Stan graciously shared his story of being saved by Christ and his redemption and forgiveness.
Stan is preceded in death by his parents, Cal Bennett and Elsie Ballinger; a brother, Steven Bennett; and a sister, Jean Henry. Stan is survived by his loving wife Tamra and their 4 children, Amee Walsh, Emilee (Garrett) Lovell, Steven Bennett and Hillaree Bennett; eight grandchildren, Tate and Deklan Walsh, Grandt, Grayson and Grady Lovell, Rebekah Niggli-Atkinson, Elodie Tsapanos, and Harper Bennett, brother Jim Bennett; nephew Calvin Bennett; nieces Shawna Stevens, Jennifer Serna and Candace Bennett; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life to honor Stan will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2023 at the Gateway Church of Visalia, 1100 S. Sowell St. Visalia, CA 93277. Followed by a private family burial at Visalia Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Stan’s honor can be made to the Visalia Rescue Mission, 741 N. Santa Fe Street, Visalia, CA 93292; Courage to Change, 1230 N. Anderson Rd. Exeter, CA 93221; or Young Lives, 2134 E. Mineral King Ave. #B, Visalia, CA 93292.
Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.
