James M. "Jake" Bennett

James M. (Jake) Bennett , age 82 of Judsonia was born November 21, 1940 to G.W. and Lorene Bennett; the only son among four daughters. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 19, 2022. Jake was preceded in death by his parents; by his wife, Paula Davis Bennett; two sons, Damon Bennett and Paul Wayne Bennett and a great-granddaughter, Elaina May Dodds. He is survived by a son, Keith Bennett and his wife Tammy Powell Bennett of Searcy; a daughter, Davissa Bennett Brimer and her husband Brent of Bald Knob; Grandchildren, Kassidy Bennett Cramblett (Matt) ; Madison Bennett Dodds (Brent); Kynlee Brimer Fisher (Austin); and Reese Brimer. Great grandchildren: Brooks Cramblett, Davis Cramblett, Jack Cramblett and Braxton Dodds; his sisters, Reva Henry of Springdale; Linda York (Ron) of Magnolia, Texas; Brenda Roach (Ricky) of Judsonia; and Peggy Miller (Steve) of Judsonia. He is also survived by many relatives and friends. He grew up on the family farm and attended Judsonia Public Schools graduating in 1958 where he played softball, basketball and ran track. He was particularly interested in the agriculture program at which he excelled. In 1963, he joined the US Army and served in Thailand and Vietnam in the Communications Division running communication lines between the Army and Air Force bases. He came home in 1965 shortly before the Vietnam War began. Jake joined Arkansas Power and Light as a lineman and after hours and on weekends he worked on the family farm with his dad raising several hundred acres of soybeans and milo. It was while working that he fell ill and was diagnosed with Guillain Barre' syndrome in September, 1981 which paralyzed his entire body leaving him on a ventilator for months and no way to communicate although after a few months he was able to hear. His illness was the most severe cases of Guillain Barre' syndrome the doctors at White County Hospital had ever seen but he slowly began to move his fingers and blink his eyes as a way of communicating with his medical team and family. After 11 months in the hospital, he was released in August , 1982 with a goal of talking, walking and feeding himself again and driving his truck and he accomplished all of those goals. A book about Jake's illness and his struggle to survive and do what he most enjoyed was documented in "Nearing the Mountain" - the Jake Bennett Story" written by Elizabeth Short in 1988. Jake was raised a Christian from birth and was a member of the Highway Church of Christ in Judsonia. where he also taught Sunday School. He worked for years after his illness with a local support group for individuals with paralysis. Always smiling and a kind word for everyone he met, he had many friends from all walks of life. He was the epitome of the phrase, "he never met a stranger". He loved his family deeply and was so proud of all of them. An extraordinary man who loved the outdoors - fishing and hunting; he persevered with determination and a resolve to overcome his disability. He never felt sorry for himself and never stopped trying to be as good as he could be. Against all odds he did walk again and was able to drive his truck and could talk without stopping for a breath! He turned his love of quail hunting into a business where he raised quail for local businesses and friends. The family wishes to thank Chris Finne, Jan Sears and April Cook and Robert Wilson for their assistance and support the last few weeks. A celebration of Jake’s life will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Highway Church of Christ in Judsonia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Life in Victory Recovery Center, 143 Powder Fork Rd., Bald Knob, Arkansas 72010 or Cash App $lifeinvictory19 Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob – Judsonia. www.powellfuneralhome.net.

James M. "Jake" Bennett

November 21, 1940 - December 19, 2022