Donald Bennett

Donald Kirk Bennett, age 87, died in his sleep on December 30, 2023, in Santa Barbara, CA.

Born August 25, 1936, in Hopkins, Don was the second and youngest child of Gordon and Margaret (Kirk) Bennett. A few years later, the family moved to Maryville, where Don graduated from Maryville High School and Northwest Missouri State.

After graduation, Don moved to Santa Barbara, where he spent 38 years working for the school district there. He married his next-door neighbor and fellow teacher, Esther Brinks. Together they raised two sons, Jim and Brad. They had been married for 56 years when Esther died of Alzheimer’s in 2021.

Don was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara and volunteered with numerous community organizations, including Reading for the Blind and the Sunrise Rotary Club. In retirement, Don enjoyed playing trumpet in the Primetime Band and was a regular at the MacKenzie Park Lawn Bowls Club.

To all who knew him, Don was a gentle spirit and a man of integrity, committed to doing what was right. He loved his family. For all his activities, he was happiest hosting meals with Esther on the patio of their home for family and for friends–especially when he was grilling tri-tip with a glass of wine in his hand.

Don is survived by sons Jim (wife Amy) of San Jose and Brad (wife Lynee) of Santa Barbara, and three grandchildren (Megan, Nicholas, and Matthew).

There will be a Memorial Service on February 17 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara with a reception immediately following.