Keith Eldon Bennett, age 85, of The Villages, Florida, passed into the loving arms of his mother, son and God on December 31, 2017 after waging an intense and brave battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Keith was born on August 10, 1932 in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas to the late Margaret Ann Nicholson and Oliver Olden Bennett.
He leaves his intensely beloved wife and soulmate of 55 years Marleen D. Bennett of The Villages, Florida.
Keith also left his heart’s daughter Rebekah Bennett of Lubbock, Texas; brother in-law Dr. Ted Miko and wife Kathryn of Lilburn, Georgia; son Robert of Silver Lake, Kansas; daughter Daphne of Topeka Kansas; daughter Debra Medlock of Topeka, Kansas; and step son Todd Fogelsonger of Seattle, Washington; granddaughter Carrie Jones of Roundrock, Texas; grandson Justice Jones of Roundrock, Texas; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Eldon Bennett of Lubbock, Texas.
Keith’s loved “Villages” family members were Chick and Sis Johnson, Marlene Hardman, Joe and Judy Stopyra, John and Rita Fleming.
He served eight years in The Kansas National Guard during the Korean conflict and two years in the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Edmonds, Washington. He was a “soldier” in the battle against dread diseases devoting a year of his life in Clinical Trials at The Mayo Clinic.
Keith was a talented cook and chef. He became involved in competition chili and barbecue being awarded many state championships and Grand Master designations in barbecue. He took many prizes at the American Royal Barbecue Competition at Kansas City. Last year he returned to the American Royal after 26 years and cooked with his son, Robert, who became a Grand Master himself. He competed at the World Barbecue Championship at the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. He claimed first prize in the barbecue sauce competition and his recipe was published in their “Spirit of Tennessee” Cookbook.
He cooked chili at the Governor’s Mansion for Booth Gardner in Washington. His sauce was sent to President George Bush in the Jack Daniels annual Christmas basket.
He was the owner and head chef of Country Boy Barbecue and Steak House in Edmonds Washington and owner and chef of a gourmet chili parlor at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. John Hinterberger of the Seattle Times wrote of Keith “He is probably the best barbecue and chili cook in the Pacific Northwest”.
He was also a very talented actor and singer. He performed many roles singing and dancing across the stage and stealing the show. He had an incredible tenor voice which he could change to a deep baritone. He directed many stage shows and designed sets for many other productions.
He also loved gardening and designing. He personally designed and planted all of the landscaping at his home in The Villages along with the design of his custom painted driveway and patios.
He loved golf. He played as many of The Villages courses as he could with his wife and foursome of friends Chick Johnson, David Hardman and Gene Pizzo.
He and wife, Marleen, were consummate cruisers. They traveled the world together taking in all they were able. Keith learned scuba at age 65 and did his first dive on Dominica. They zipped lined in Jamaica, did helmet diving in Aruba, white water rafting in Mexico, climbed the ruins at Tulum and panned for gold in Alaska. He and Marleen sat together, held hands and prayed in The Sistine Chapel and walked in the footsteps of the Czars in Russia. He climbed the 100 stone steps of Blarney Castle and “kissed the Blarney Stone”.
Always the artist and creator, he was co-authoring a book filled with intrigue and mystery with his wife, Marleen.
A Celebration of Life of this extraordinary man will be held on Tuesday, January 9th at 11 a.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral & Cremation Life Event Center, 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL 32162 with a luncheon afterward for sharing and remembering.
Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to The Mayo Clinic to aide their research.
