John Hugh "Jack" Bennett

BUTTE - John Hugh "Jack" Bennett went to be with his Lord and Savior early Tuesday morning, April 14, 2009, at St. James Healthcare in Butte, surrounded by his children.

Jack was born on July 3, 1929, to John "Bud" and Rose (McMahon) Bennett in Butte. Jack attended local schools and graduated from Butte High School in 1947. He played quarterback for the Butte Buzzies, as #61, during the 1949, 1950 and 1951 seasons. In 2007, fellow Buzzie and longtime friend to Jack, Jim Scown, were proud to be a part of the Buzzie's induction to the Butte Sports Hall of Fame. During their years of playing for the Buzzies, many of the men enlisted in the service during the Korean Conflict. Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country.

Jack married Elise Jones. Together, they were blessed with seven children. They later divorced and he married Diane Bray. They were blessed with three children. Later in life, Jack married his mate, Norma Jean Holbrook at San Diego in July of 1984.

During the early 1960s, Jack refereed basketball with lifelong friend Glen Welch. Jack worked for the Butte Water Company until an injury in 1965 left him disabled. Jack enjoyed the California area, where he spent many years in San Diego until returning to Butte for his later years.

He was preceded in death by his father, John "Bud" Bennett; mother Rose Bennett; sons Jim Bennett, June 1981, John Bennett, January 2005; and grandson Cody Bennett, 2002.

He is survived by his siblings, Tom (Gail) Bennett, Helen (Carl) Hasting; his children, Geri (Dan) Turk, Dottie Kukay, Joyce (Ken) Wilcox, Bob Bennett, Frank (Barb) Bennett, Jacquie Correa-Bennett, Jay Bennett, Jodi Waurio-Bennett; and his daughter-in-law, Terri Bennett; his grandchildren, Jonna (Phil) Anderson, Renate (fiance Tony King), Brandi (Steve) Stajcar, Jeremy (Heather) Bennett, Heidi (Jeff) D'Arcy, Brian (Donna) Kukay, Travis (Jacqueline) Kukay, Nikki Wilcox, Kelsie (Dagan) Lynch, Josh Bennett, Brittany Bennett, Cody Bennett, Lindsey Bennett, Caitlin Bennett, Aubrie Sherman, Ken Sherman, Chaela Wordal, Courtney Bennett, Courtney Bennett, Blake Bennett, Quinten Fedor. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Chase Anderson, Lane Anderson, Ada Strauss, Shantyl Hollingsworth, Joel Hollingsworth, Payton Hollingsworth, Trapper John Stajcar, Jeremy D'Arcy, Tye D'Arcy, Lane D'Arcy, Ashlyn D'Arcy, Kyler Kukay, Ally Kukay, Myley Kukay, Easton Kukay.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m., in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Interment of ashes and military honors will take place at Ft. Harrison Veterans Cemetery at a later date and will be announced by the Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to the John Hugh Bennett, c/o Jodi Waurio, PO Box 853, Columbus, MT 59019.