Retired Major Hamilton Bennett

STEVENSON, ALA. — Retired Major John ‘Jack’ Hamilton Bennett passed away peacefully at Watermark Gulf Breeze, Fla. on Feb. 23, 2018. He was born Nov. 26, 1930 to Frank Dale and Pearl Keys Bennett in Sheffield, Ala. Jack attended Central High School in Knoxville, was involved in football, and played trumpet in his own dance band. Jack received a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from the University of Chattanooga where he was a Kappa Sigma and later a Master’s Degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he taught Freshman Geology. Jack married his wife of 36 years, Rosemary Denison, in 1956 and lived in Chattanooga working for T.V.A. During this time he obtained the rank of Major serving in the Chattanooga Tennessee National Guard before embarking on a long active-duty military career in the USAF. His many tours of duty included the Air Command and Staff College, Wright Patterson AFB, Wiesbaden, Germany where he was honored as a German Master Gunsmith, Vietnam, lastly Eglin AFB, retiring in 1981 after 31 years of serving and protecting our country. Soon thereafter he moved his family to Stevenson, Ala. for a quiet country life. Jack was passionate about engraving so he opened a gun shop, Shooter’s Supply, with his good friend Hal Waterhouse. He went on to apprentice his grandson’s in order to pass on his knowledge and skills so that someday they might follow in his footsteps. Jack was a consummate military man who loved his jobs, respected his men, and was greatly respected in return. He was fondly known as a "Soldier's Soldier". He received the following medals: Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Joint Service Commendation, Air Force Commendation. John H. Bennett is survived by three children, Mary Jennifer Bennett-Sutliff, John H. Bennett, Jr, Andrea Catherine Bennett; two grandsons, Aubrey Bennett Packer, and Alexander Brenden Packer; two nieces, ?Debbie Smith and Cathy Huster. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Rebecca; sister Betty and her husband Carl Huster. Graveside Memorial Traditional Military Service Sunday March 25th 2:30 p.m. at the Bennett Plot City of Sheffield Cemetery, 3523 North Jackson Hwy, Sheffield, Ala. The family requests that any donations should be made to the Veterans Association in lieu of flowers.