This document summarizes the history of the Park-Bennett family reunion. It describes how the reunion began in the 1960s between descendants of James and Leona Park and Elisha and Lottie Bennett. Over the years, the reunion has been held in various locations around Amarillo, Texas. The document provides genealogical information on the double first cousins who first intermarried, including listing their children and grandchildren. It includes photos from various family reunions held between 1983 and 2011 showing multiple generations of descendants.

1. Park –BennettFamily Reunion Slides will advance automatically or click to advance.

2. Double First Cousins James and Leona (Bennett) Park’s and Elisha and Lottie (Park) Bennett’s kids: James Eddie Frances Willie Amy Ruth Margaret Lucy Not pictured: Lottie Vern Gracie Ray

3. Cousins from Two Generations Children of Ray and Hazel (Park) Bennett: John Ray Mary Jo Martha Ann David Theodore

4. The Cousins began the Park-Bennett Family Reunion in 1964 (?) Photos from 1983 and 1984

5. Park-Bennett Family ReunionHappy, TX July, 2011 Over the years, the Park-Bennett reunion has been held in Amarillo city parks, Ceta Canyon UM church camp, and Kaye Venhaus’s back yard.Kaye is the daughter of double first cousin, Gracie Ray (Bennett) Baker.

6. Tommy and Laura Ruth Hyatt and Jack Showers cool off in the shade. Laura Ruth has been at every Park-Bennett family reunion. She is the daughter of double first cousin, Ruth (Bennett) Thurman. July, 2011

7. Susie Branch and David Baker visit with the younger generation. Susie and David are children of double first cousin, Gracie Ray (Bennett) Baker. July, 2011

8. Jimmy Baker visits with younger cousins, Kay Medina and Dee Ann Adams. Jimmy is the son of double first cousin, Gracie Ray (Bennett) Baker. July, 2011

9. Martha Ann Allen and Ted Bennett watch as the family starts a game of washers. Martha Ann and Ted fall into two different generations of the family. Their father, Ray, a younger Bennett son, married Hazel, a Park granddaughter. July, 2011

10. Martha Ann Allen and Dee Mitchellbrowse the family reunion albums. Dee is the daughter of double first cousin, James Eddie Park. July, 2011

11. Jim Bennett keeps the families’ ranch history alive by donning his cowboy hat. Jim is the son of cousin, Jesse Bennett. July, 2011

12. More cousins than photos at the 2011 reunion! Raymond and Buddy Bill Bennett were at the reunion. They are the sons of double first cousin, Willie Bennett. Thanksgiving, 1950, at Lish and Lottie Bennett’s.

13. The Park and Bennett families arrive in Texasto becomePioneers of the Panhandle.

14. Moses Smith Park 1844-1920 Charlotte Sofia Angell Huke 1841-1919 The Park family moved from Devilla, TX to a ranch south of Amarillo in 1893 where M. S. could “indulge his favorite passion for raising and developing fine horses, as it is conceded that the “Panhandle” country will grow the finest horses in the State.” Children: Alvin A. Huke Frank Ayers Park Wilbur Smith Park David Ayers Park James Emile Park Lottie Angell Park

15. William Franklin Bennett 1850-1928 Mary Frances Laycook 1854-1920 Children: Margaret Leona Bennett William Elisha Bennett Jessie Bennett, died at age 14 Verna B. Bennett Charles F. Bennett, twin died at birth Earnest Ray Bennett The Bennett family moved from Colorado to Dumas, TX in 1894. Franklin bought a section of land for $250.

16. The Park and Bennett families marry. 1. Margaret Leona Bennett (1875-1960) and James Emile Park (1877-1966) marry in 1901. 2. William Elisha Bennett (1878-1955) and Lottie Angell Park (1879-1959) marry in 1904. 3. Earnest Ray Bennett (1889-1966) and Hazel Aileen Park (1899-1984) marry in 1921. Thanksgiving, about 1935

17. The Cousins’ Club Park-Bennett Children Children of James and Leona (Bennett) Park: Charlotte Frances (Park) Sullivan (1902-1982) James Eddie Park (1907-1985) Margaret Felder (Park) McMahan (1909-1993) Lottie Vern Park (1917-1931) Children of Elisha and Lottie (Park) Bennett: Willie Smith Bennett (1905-1985) Ruth May (Bennett) Thurman (1908-1995) Amy Angell (Bennett) Pitt (1911-1988) Mary Lucy (Bennett) Moore (1915-1993) Gracie Ray (Bennett) Baker (1918-1999) Childrenof Ray and Hazel (Park) Bennett: John Ray Bennett(1922-1994) Mary Jo Bennett (1928-1934) Martha Ann (Bennett) Allen (1931- ) David Theodore Bennett (1933- )

18. Grandchildren of the Park-Bennett Unions James & Leona Park: Frances’ children: Park Sullivan Don Sullivan James Eddies’ children: Dee (Park) Mitchell Dick Park Margaret’s child: Laura Lee (McMahan) Storey Ray & Hazel Bennett: Martha Ann’s children: Rebecca Allen Barbara (Allen) Coldiron Burt Allen, Jr. Brad Allen Ted’s children: Pam (Bennett) McJunkin David Bennett Bonnie (Bennett) Green Elisha & Lottie Bennett: Willie’s children: Raymond Bennett Buddy Bill Bennett Baylus Bennett Ruth’s children: Bill Thurman Laura Ruth (Thurman-Showers) Hyatt Stanley Thurman Lucy’s children: Carlos Fowler Moore William Clinton Moore Gracie Ray’s children: David Baker Kaye (Baker) Venhaus Susie (Baker) Branch Jimmy Baker

19. Grandchildren of the Double First Cousins Rick Baker Kay Mitchell-Medina Sam Baker Kathy Showers-O’Malley Jack Showers Vicky Venhaus-Buckelew Park-Bennett Family Reunion, 2011 Dee Ann Showers-Adams

20. Great Grandchildren of the Cousins’ Club Park-Bennett Family Reunion, 2011

21. Great-Great Grandchildren (?) of the Cousins’ Club Park-Bennett Family Reunion 2011

22. Grandpas and Grandmas, Children and Grandchildren,Moms and Dads, Brothers and Sisters, Aunts and Uncles, Nieces and Nephews, Cousins, andIn-laws and Out-laws!PBFU 2011

23. Amarillo, TX Llano Cemetery Garden of the Pioneers On this statue is inscribed, “They turned their faces westward and in 1876 marked the beginning of what is now a mighty empire.” Appropriately, several of the Park-Bennett family members rest in this cemetery.

24. Apologies to cousins at the 2011 reunion whom I did not get photos of or miss tagged in a slide. Let me know of any corrections that need to be made. Please email photos of Ray and Hazel Bennett and their children as I could not locate any in Dee’s genealogy records. Email: marybjre@msn.com. Song Credits: The Cowboy Song by Garth Brooks Cowboy Logic by Michael Martin Murphy Here’s Hoping by George Fox Summer Ranges by Michael Martin Murphy