November 11, 1942 ~ September 4, 2026
Bruce C. Bennett passed away on September 4, 2026. He was born on November 11, 1942, to Smokey and Betty Bennett. Early in his life Bruce delivered the Tulsa World and Tulsa Tribune Newspapers, before going to work at the Eastern State Hospital. He married Sherry Jean Austin on December 18, 1963, in Tahlequah at the Methodist Church. They settled in Vinita and started a family. Bruce worked at Aqua Play, making paddle boats for several years, then went to work for the City of Vinita. Bruce worked for the Vinita Street Department and retired after 30 years of service. He loved fishing, John Wayne, and sports. Some of his happiest moments was coaching his son’s ball teams. He also loved playing and coaching men’s slow pitch softball teams and cherished the friends and relationships he made while doing so. Bruce loved and cherished his family, grandkids, and great grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles, and Eugene Bennett; his wife of 53 years, Sherry Bennett; a son, Dennis Dean Bennett and a daughter, Kristina Bennett.
The surviving family includes his son, Bruce A. Bennett, and wife Teresa of Vinita; daughter, Michelle Bennett, and Hank of Vinita; five grandchildren, Ashley, Bruce, Brandon, Hailye, and Andy; along with several great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
The family will be having a private service, and Bruce will be laid to rest with his wife and children at the Sixkiller Cemetery near Afton. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita. “Vinita’s only locally family owned and operated funeral home.”