Jimmy "Bennett" Clontz

Jimmy "Bennett" Clontz, 77, of Morganton, NC went to his Heavenly home on Thursday, November 21, 2013 after several years of declining health. Born in Burke County, NC on August 4, 1936, he was the son of the late Robert Glen Clontz and Eva Duckworth Clontz. Bennett was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. Bennett was a legendary NASCAR Dirt Track champion. He has been voted as one of the top 25 all-time dirt track racers with many notable wins. Mr. Clontz received an award for 30 years of dirt track racing in North Carolina.Bennett is survived by his wife, Sharee Ruth Dixon Clontz of the home; his mother, Clara Duckworth Clontz of Morganton; daughters, Debbie Clontz Phillips and her husband, Brook, of Hickory, NC and Dr. Kim Clontz Franklin and her husband, Doug, of Morganton; step-children, Makesha Garnder and her husband, Travis, and Jason Lewis; grandchildren, Kyle Gantt and his wife, Tina, Dustin Gantt, Leigh Phillips, Dylan Lail, Cierra Lail, John Franklin, and Livy Franklin; a step-grandson, Avery; a great-granddaughter, Chloe Gantt; brothers, Robert, Harold, Bill, and R. G. Clontz, all of Morganton; a sister, Durlene Shuffler of Morganton; and a number of nephews and nieces.In addition to his father, Bennett was preceded in death by two sisters, Olivia Lackey and Frances Shirley.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, 2013 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with Dr. Dewey Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.