Charles "Red" Bennett

Charles “Red” Bennett passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at the age of 83. Service will be I:00 pm Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Rotan Methodist Church with burial to follow in Belvieu cemetery. There will be a visitation at the church on Friday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Red was born on June 2, 1941 in Rotan, Texas to Benjamin Charles and Elsie Mae (Booth) Bennett. He graduated from Rotan High School and continued his education, and later graduated from Sul Ross University. Red started his career as a plumber working with his father for many years. Later he worked for the Price Daniel Prison Unit in Snyder where he retired. 

He dedicated his life to helping those in need. He spent forty years as a volunteer in the Rotan Volunteer Fire Department. He also joined together with friends and started cooking for fundraisers to help people in his community. 

On June 27, 1996 Red married the love of his life, Kathleen Elrod Nichols in Brady, Texas. Red introduced Katheleen to the world of volunteering. She joined the Rotan Ladies Auxiliary, and together they were unstoppable for the next twelve years. Red retired from the fire department as Rotan’s Fire Marshall. In his spare time Red was an avid bowler, gardener, hunter and fisherman.

Red is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen; his parents; stepson, Wayne Nichols; and grandson, Blake Nichols.

He is survived by two sons, Dean and Maria Nichols of Snyder, and Ray and Linda Nichols of Midland; eight grandchildren, Latisha Hemosillo, Codi Haigood, Kourtney Baker, Mikeal Tamez, J.C. Nichols, Haley Wright, Jessica Sproles and Sarah Sproles; eight great grandchildren, Kabryn, Madden, Dawson, Jayden, Bradley, Gwyneth, Jude and Iyla; his dog, Daisy; and a host of friends.

If lieu of flower, memorial may be made to the Rotan Volunteer Fire Department.