Screven, Ga.

Richard G. "Buddy" Bennett, Sr., 78, entered his eternal rest on Friday, July 15, 2016. The Wayne County native was a member of Ritch Baptist Church and was ordained as a deacon in 1986 at Little Creek Baptist, the church he attended as a child under his father's preaching. He graduated from Jesup High School where he was a member of the 1954 Class A State Championship Football Team. He earned a varsity letter from Stetson University (1956 – 1957) in Deland, Florida then transferred to the University of South Carolina (1957 – 1961) where he lettered three more years in football and earned a degree in Education. Best known as Coach Bennett, he coached at Waycross High School (1962-1963), Georgia Tech (1963 – 1964) under Coach Bobbie Dodd, the University of South Carolina (1964-1965) and Screven County High School (1965 – 1966). The pinnacle of his career was at East Tennessee State University (1966-1970) where his defense was nicknamed "Bennett's Bandits" by the media. In 1969, Bennett's Bandits led the conference in interceptions (37) and the team was the division 2A National Champions beating Louisiana Tech when senior Terry Bradshaw played quarterback. He was a defensive backfield coach for one year at the University of Tennessee where his team set a conference record of forty interceptions. In January 1971, the Volunteers beat Air Force in the Sugar Bowl. From Tennessee, Bennett went to the University of Arkansas where he served as the defensive coordinator for two years. With 27 interceptions and a 10-2 record in 1971, the Razorbacks played in the Liberty Bowl. Bennett's next moves were to Georgia Tech (1973-1974) and Virginia Tech (1974-1978). After his father passed away, Bennett returned to Georgia to be close to his mother. He resumed high school coaching at Jeff Davis High (1978 – 1980) then at his alma mater, Wayne County High (formerly Jesup High School). After retiring from coaching, he became an administrator at Wayne County High where he was most famous for swinging a paddle. He retired from Altamaha Technical College presently known as Coastal Pines Community College. Bennett was inducted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. After retirement, Bennett founded Buddy's Puddy, a disinfecting and pest control service, and traveled the state of Georgia treating schools and lunchrooms. In his spare time, he enjoyed the farm where he raised cattle and trained bird dogs. He was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Stetson Bennett, Sr. and Irene Little Bennett; brother, Dr. Reppard Bennett; sisters, Violet Irene Bennett and Mary Ruth Bennett Tootle Strickland.

Survivors are his wife of 51 years, Jayne McCurdy Bennett; daughter, Jan (Bert) Oliver of Glennville; sons, Dr. Richard "Rick" (Maggie) Bennett, Jr. of Gainesville, Stetson (Denise) Bennett, III of Blackshear, John (Misty) Bennett of Gray, and Dr. William (Mary) Bennett of Rome; 16 grandchildren: Stella, Jaynie, and Bennett Oliver of Glennville; Mac, Harper, and James Bennett of Gainesville; Stet, Knox, Luke, Maverick, and Olivia Bennett of Blackshear; Maegan, Riley, Madison, and Melissa Bennett of Gray; and Ellie Grace Bennett of Rome; brother, Stetson (Patsy) Bennett, Jr. of Jesup; sisters, Betty (Luther) Graham of Jesup, Faye Graham of Jesup, Lola (Paul) Jamsky of St. Simons, Charlotte (Jimmy) Tillman of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and Jean (Joe) Cunningham of Jesup.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 17, 2016, at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jack Lee and Rev. Shon Cunningham officiating. Interment will be in Little Creek Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be family.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, July 16, 2016 at the funeral home.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.rinehartandsons.com .

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup, Ga. is in charge of arrangements.