Funeral Services for Gerald Mack “Coach Jerry “Bennett, 74, of Jefferson, Texas will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11:00am in the Central Baptist Church of Marshall, Texas with Rev. Ron Danley officiating and under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home. Interment will immediately follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Jefferson, Texas. A time of visitation will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 5:00-7:00pm in the Central Baptist Church of Marshall, Texas.
Gerald Mack Bennett (Jerry) was born in Marshall, Texas on July 14, 1950, to Jim Wilson and Finna Faye (McGee) Bennett and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 28, 2025, at his home in Jefferson surrounded by his loving family.
Jerry graduated from Marshall High School in 1968. He attended Kilgore Junior College and then Louisianna Tech where he graduated in 1976 with a Bachelors in Education. After graduation he started his career as a Teacher/ Coach for the next 35 plus years. His first job was in Marshall, Texas as an assistant coach. After that he coached in Queen City, Texas as Defensive Coordinator for two years. His first head coaching job was for the Jefferson Bulldogs starting in 1982. His proudest accomplishment was in 1986 when the Bulldogs won the 3A State Championship with an undefeated record of 16-0. Jerry was named Cypress Valley Coach of the Year, District 16-AAA Coach of the Year and High School Coach of the Yearby the Texas Sportswriter’s Association after that season. In 2002 Jerry went to coach at SMU in Dallas for this brother Phil. He coached running backs and inside receivers at SMU until 2007. In 2008, he came back to East Texas to Linden Kildare as Head Coach and was there until 2010. In 2011 Jerry came back to Jefferson to coach the Bulldogs one more time to end out his career. He retired in 2013.
When Jerry came to Jefferson in 1982, he met his future wife Tammy Lynn Moore. They were married on April 16, 1983. They were married for 42 years.
Jerry was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson where he attended the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class. He and Tammy taught third and fourth grade Sunday School for several years. He also served as Chairman of the Usher Committee and Chairman of the Personnel Committee.
In 1987, Jerry was named Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the year. In 2015 he was inducted into the Northeast Texas Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Coach Bennett, as he was lovingly referred to by all, has an immense impact on countless young men that he coached throughout the years. He taught many of his players not only about the X’s and O’s, but he taught important life lessons that were needed to have a successful future.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Glen Hayes, and his mother-in-law, Pat Woods Moore.
Those left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Tammy Bennett of Jefferson and their daughter Ashley Ann Bennett of Irving, Texas; siblings, Jim Bennett and wife Peggy, Phil Bennett and wife Julie, and Judy Bennett Kimberly and husband Kirby. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Those serving as pallbearers are members of the 1986 Championship team: Kenneth Henderson #15, Bubba Humphrey #61, Antwain Jimmerson #32, Terry Johnson #87, Kyle Keith #50, Dale reeves #55, Rafael Robinson #20, and Keith Smith #12.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Texas, 523 N. Polk St. Jefferson, Texas 75657 or to the Jefferson Athletic Booster Club, P.O. Box 1084, Jefferson, Texas 75657.