Kenneth Bruce Bennett

Kenneth Bruce Bennett, age 75, of Dyersburg, TN, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Born on February 18, 1950, in St. Louis, MO, Bruce was the beloved son of Kenneth Bennett and the late Norma Jean Hickman Bennett. Bruce was a retired teller for FCB, where he was cherished by his colleagues who regarded him as a grandfather figure and took wonderful care of him. He also dedicated over 10 years of service in the Sporting Goods Department at Wal-Mart.

He proudly served in the United States Air Force National Guard, demonstrating his commitment to his country. Bruce was a devoted member of Lenox Baptist Church, where he actively participated in his Sunday School Class and enjoyed the fellowship with his fellow members.

Bruce was an avid baseball player whose love for the game began in his youth. He went on to pitch at Division I Kansas State University in the early 1970s, where he was an All-Star pitcher and still ranks among the school's all-time leaders in earned run average. He was named in the 1970s volume of Outstanding College Athletes of America, an annual publication honoring the nation's top collegiate athletes for their achievements on and off the field.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2026 in the chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home with Bro. Jon Keeling officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Bruce is survived by his father, Kenneth Bennett (Nadine) of St. Louis, MO; two daughters, Christi Grills (Rusty), of Newbern, TN and Trisha Meyer (Steve), of O'Fallon, MO; a son, David Bennett of Dyersburg, TN; five grandchildren, Hadley Grills and Jaxie Grills, both of Newbern, TN, Derek Meyer (Stephanie), Katelyn Davis (Autrail), and Cody Meyer (Kyra), all of St. Peters, MO; and a great-grandson, Erik Davis of St. Peters, MO.

Bruce was predeceased by his wife, Linda Bennett; and his mother, Norma Jean Hickman Bennett. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Bubba Lock, Tim Jones, Rob Burg, Josh Fowler, Art Jordan and Greg Boykin. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be David Bennett and the members of his Sunday School Class.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at stjude.org/memorial or to Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org

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