passed away peacefully on March 24, 2025, in Granbury, Texas, at the age of 79. He

was the son of the late Alice Richards Bentham and the late Keith Fielding Bentham. He

was also predeceased by his sister, Kaye Bentham Stone.

Born on April 11, 1945, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dr. Bentham was a lifelong learner

and accomplished professional. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from

Western Maryland College in 1967, followed by a Master’s in Education, specializing in

Special Education, from the University of Delaware in 1968. His passion for

rehabilitation and psychology led him to pursue a Master of Science in Rehabilitation

Counseling at the University of Scranton in 1970. He further honed his expertise

through a clinical psychology internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 1972

to 1973 before earning his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Texas Tech University in

1973. While attending Texas Tech, Dr. Bentham taught in the Department of Special

Education and served as the first Director of Contact Teleministries of Lubbock.

Dr. Bentham served with honor as a Major in the United States Army from 1970 to 1980.

Following his military service, he transitioned into the fields of organizational

development and clinical counseling.

In 1980, Dr. Bentham founded ExecuCenter Associates which was one of the first

Employee Assistance Programs in the State of Texas, serving more than 300,000

employees and their families. With more than 20 years of consulting experience in the

energy industry, he worked extensively with Comanche Peak Electric Station for more

than two decades. He was also the founder of Bentham Enterprises, a clinical

counseling center that impacted many lives.

Dr. Bentham was not only a respected professional but also a devoted family man. He

left behind a wife of 54 years, Susan, two sons, John (wife Shannon) and Philip (wife

Connie) and eight grandchildren: Jackson, Isaac, Blaze, Dylan, Zane, Ben, Eliana and

Phinley. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Robin Bossio,

Valerie Witscher, Lori Mullins, Keith Stone, and Johnna Postic.

He was an avid lover of all sports and enjoyed rooting for all of the local teams. Growing

up, Dr. Bentham was an incredible athlete himself. He was Team Captain of his college

baseball team and received The Jim Boyer Memorial Award for Most Outstanding

Senior Student Baseball Player in 1967. In 2000, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of

Fame at Western Maryland College.

Dr. Bentham’s legacy of service, knowledge, and compassion will continue to inspire

those who knew him and his influence and contributions will live on in the countless

lives he touched. A memorial service will be held in his honor at First Christian Church

of Granbury, on April 12th at 3pm (2109 W US Hwy 377).In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to First Christian Church of Granbury,

2109 W US Highway 377, Granbury, Texas 76048.

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After graduating from Colonel White High School (Dayton) in 1963 she went on to
receive, from Wright State University (Dayton), a Master’s degree in Education and
a Bachelor of Science degree Cum laude. For 29 years she taught school at Mad River schools (Dayton) and later at Castleberry ISD (Fort Worth), retiring in 2005. Her
love for teaching showed as she made education fun and exciting for her students.
As a teacher her legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those she taught.

It was in Dayton she met a tall Texan named John Spoonts. In 1989 she moved to
Fort Worth with husband John to begin their new life together. Quite often, they
would take weekend trips with their beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Annie. Together they explored the Texas countryside, and all that nature had to offer.

After retiring from teaching she began water exercise at Tarrant County College
where she developed many lifelong friends. Her friends and acquaintance will never
forget JoEtta.

Visit her any holiday and you would find her house decorated in a fun, whimsical
manner. If she knew your birthday then you could expect to receive a Birthday
Card picked with you in mind.

She was preceded in death by husband, of 30 years, John Spoonts; her parents, Walter and Virginia Moran; and her brother, Donald G. Moran.

She is survived by step-daughter, Amy Kirby and husband David; step-grandsons,
Cory Kirby and Drew Kirby. She also leaves behind her beloved cat, Winston.

When interred at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, JoEtta will
be reunited with the love of her life, husband, John.

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Rita’s journey was marked by significant achievements and tireless dedication to community service. She was instrumental in the creation of Hubbard House, a domestic violence center which has been a beacon of hope and support. Her leadership extended across various organizations, including her role as the founding president of the Florida First Coast Purchasing Council, a founding president of Greater Jacksonville APICS and a founding president of the Alliance for Agency Executives Serving People with Disabilities.

Rita’s influence and leadership were further recognized through her involvement in numerous commissions and task forces, such as the Mayor’s Domestic Violence Commission, the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, the Governor’s Commission on Batterers’ Intervention and the Association of United Way Agency Executives’ Executive Committee. She served on the boards of the Greater Dallas Association of Fundraising Professionals and Unity Church of Dallas and volunteered for the Collin County Democratic Party. Her contributions earned her several accolades, including the Liberty Bell Award from the Jacksonville Bar Association, the Mary Nolan Award from JAX NOW, and the Florida Governor’s Peace at Home Award.

Professionally, Rita held prominent positions that showcased her expertise and passion for development and leadership. She served as Materials Control Director at Xomed Surgical, CEO at Hubbard House, Director of Materials at TIGI, Director of Development at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas, Executive Director of Citizens Development Center, and CEO of Camp Fire USA Lonestar.

Rita was known not only for her professional accomplishments but also for her strong, driven leadership and fearless social activism. Her family was her cornerstone, and she was a devoted sister, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her sister Lorna DeYoung, daughter Robin Reed and husband Greg, daughter Renee Golder and husband Tom, grandchildren Natalie Wright and husband Justin, Nathan Knuuttila and wife Sydney, Grant Golder and wife Abbey, Claire Golder, Hallie Reed and Maren Reed, great granddaughters Brayleigh Wright and Eleanor Wright, and nieces Erin Goodman and husband Jeff, and Shea Roberts and husband Glen.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Rita’s life will be held at 3 pm on Friday, March 28th, at the Unity Church of Dallas, located at 6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, Texas. The family extends their deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time and hope that Rita’s legacy will continue to inspire all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hubbard House or Girls Inc.

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July 12, 1940 – March 21, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Harold Merritt, a beloved father and friend, who earned his wings on Friday, March 21, 2025. Harold was a man of many passions. He was an avid baseball fan, with the Texas Rangers holding a special place in his heart, and if he wasn’t at the game, he had the game on the TV. A true lover of animals, he found comfort in their companionship, often sharing stories of the pets who brought him happiness over the years. Camping and grilling out with family were among his favorite pastimes, where he’d fire up the grill and create memories filled with laughter and good food. Harold had a deep appreciation for live music, spending countless evenings watching local country and western bands at Cowboys in Arlington and Red River in Dallas, tapping his foot to the twang of guitars and the rhythm of the dance floor.

During his time in California, Harold proudly served as a firefighter in the Air Force, a chapter of his life that showcased his bravery and dedication to protecting others. This experience deepened his connection to the state, which he often spoke of revisiting. He shared a special bond with his daughter Tanya, with whom he traveled across the United States and the world whenever the opportunity arose. A road trip enthusiast, Harold was always ready to jump in the car for an adventure, often reminiscing about past journeys and dreaming of new ones. He spoke fondly of returning to California for one last visit—a trip that wasn’t meant to be—but he left a final wish for Tanya to sprinkle his ashes in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast, a place that held meaning in his heart.

Harold is survived by his daughter Tanya, along with family and friends who will forever cherish his corny jokes, laughter, and love. He was preceded in death by those he longed to reunite with, and we find solace imagining him at peace in their company. A private memorial will be held to celebrate Harold’s life, with details shared among family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of kindness and enjoying laughing at fond memories in his honor—feeding a stray animal, cheering on the Texas Rangers, or enjoying a country tune—just as Harold would have done.

Though he is no longer with us, Harold’s spirit lives on in the crack of a bat, the sizzle of a grill, the strum of a guitar, and on the open road. Rest in peace, dear father, until we meet again.

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