John Charles Bennett

John Charles Bennett was the youngest of five sons born to Edwin Frank and Ruth Hecker Bennett in San Diego, CA on March 8, 1953. He attended BYU on a tennis scholarship where he was very successful—playing number one singles and doubles, and earning All-America honors. While working on his master’s degree, he was assistant coach of the BYU women’s tennis team. In his tennis career, he played the European pro circuit, was the first head pro of Sherwood Hills in Provo, coached the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Boise State, was head pro at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise, ID and most recently taught tennis at Liberty Park. When he turned 35 he went on tour, reaching a ranking of #1 in the Intermountain Region, #25 in the nation in singles and #11 in doubles—all in just one year on the circuit. John joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while at BYU in 1972. He served a mission to Brazil and was a devoted member, serving as High Councilor, High Priest Group Leader, Elders Quorum President, Ward Mission Leader and was a very dedicated home teacher. In 1977, he married Kathleen Liechty (divorced, 2000). Four children were born to them. In 2004, he married Debra Drennan in the Salt Lake Temple and they shared nine very happy years together. John had unusual faith and was rock solid in all that he did. He was honest, true, kind and in many ways endearingly naive. He could be silly, yet was extremely competitive, especially on the tennis court. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and brothers completely. He enjoyed hiking in the red rock, traveling, snorkeling, playing frisbee on the beach, all sports, breakfast at any time of the day, chocolate chip cookies and ketchup. He liked spending time with his grandchildren and even wanted to feed the ducks with them as one of his last wishes. He is survived by his wife Debbie, his children, Jennifer (Shae) Fetters, Michael (Camille), Rebecca, Angela (Jason) Ivancich; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth, Ali, Aiden and Katelyn Fetters, Lance, Afton and Cosette Bennett, and Camden Ivancich; his brothers Richard (Bonnie), Robert, and David (Celeste). He was preceeded in death by his parents and brother, William. John fought a valiant, exhausting, nearly 3 year battle with aggressive prostate cancer. He was well cared for and loved by Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, Julia Batten, Dr. Jonathon Tward and many others at Huntsman Cancer Institute. We are hopeful that John’s decision to be part of numerous study treatments will benefit many men to come. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. in the Waterloo LDS Chapel, 1623 S. 500 E., SLC, UT. The family will greet friends at the chapel on Friday, June 28 from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Interment, Mountain View Memorial Estates, 3115 E. 7800 S., Cottonwood Heights, UT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Huntsman Cancer Foundation or the LDS Missionary Fund. Memories may be shared at www.serenicarefuneralhome.com.

John Charles Bennett

March 8, 1953 - June 19, 2013