May 2, 1923 - June 20, 2009

David Bruce Bennett, 86, of Sweet Home died Saturday peacefully at home in the arms of his wife. He was recovering from surgery for a brain cancer tumor.

David was born in Carlisle, Ark., to George and Ida (Caulkins) Bennett. At the age of 2 he moved with his parents to western Oklahoma, where he grew up and received his education, graduating from Colony High School in 1942.

While attending Cameron Junior College, he volunteered for Navy duty in early 1943. While serving in the South Pacific aboard the SubChaser 699 during the Battle at Biak, the ship was attacked by one of the first Kamikazi planes, which crashed on the deck. David stayed aboard ship and assisted in throwing over the live ammunition so that it would not explode on the ship's deck. For this, he received a Bronze Star and a presidential citation signed by President Truman.

After returning from South Pacific Navy duty, he married his grade school sweetheart, Wilda Fullerton, on June 19, 1945, in San Diego, Calif.

As an electrician's mate, David worked on dismantling ships until his discharge in 1946. He then worked for Marine Advisors with Jacques Cousteau to build an instrument for measuring the speed of underwater currents during the deep dive into the Mariana Straits. Later, with another firm, he worked with an engineer to design and build the locator to pinpoint the landing site of the first space astronauts.

After this, he owned a pizza restaurant for a few years, and then returned to work as a construction electrician and he, Wilda and son Jim moved to Sweet Home in 1973.

David was a loving Christian family man, dearly loved and respected by his wife and daughters, and those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jim in 1993; his parents; four brothers, Homer, Charles, Cliff and Paul; and two sisters, Letha Paden and Nita Joyner.

David is survived by his wife of 64 years, Wilda; daughters Linda and husband Robert Hervig of San Diego, and Brenda and husband Roger Kuchenbecker of Wasilla, Alaska; and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, also at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Lewis Cemetery by the side of son Jim.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a member.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements (www.sweethomefuneral.com).