Obituary

David "Buck" Bennett

October 30, 1947 - July 25, 2022

Buck always advised “you have to start with a great opener.”  Buck did that his whole life in the opening line of his column “Buck Shots” in the Bogalusa Daily News, the opening basketball shot from the court at Bogalusa High School or the Bogalusa YMCA, and finally to his journalism college students at the University of Southern Mississippi.   Dr. David Bennett passed away at his home in Bogalusa, LA on Monday, July 25, 2022. 

Buck loved his family and also the people of Bogalusa.  Buck was named by his little sister, Jan, when she couldn’t say “brother.”  Buck played all sports passionately whether it was pickup or little league games in the 1950’s, basketball games at BHS in the mid-1960’s (scoring the highest points in one game in school history), and then in various church and YMCA leagues through the 1970’s and 1980’s. David was sports editor at the Clarion Ledger/Jackson Daily News in Jackson, MS and then with the Bogalusa Daily News, where he won several Associated Press Awards.  His biggest award was his article that won a national award discovering a little-known football player named Walter Payton at a small HBC school in Jackson State.  However, Buck’s favorite achievement were the sports articles and news features that highlighted the wonderful people of Bogalusa at their best, whether in sports or just in their daily walks of life.

Buck then returned to school later in life showing that it is never too late to go to another level. He obtained his doctoral degree and taught students in Journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi.  His doctoral dissertation was turned into a textbook for college students across the United States.  This garnering him praise in academia and spawned offers to teach at other institutions, including the University of California at Berkeley, which he promptly turned down.  Buck never would consider leaving his beloved Bogalusa.

Buck carried on the Bennett name with a son, Lane Bennett, who is married to Buck’s beloved daughter-in-law, Chryssy and their children, two grandson namesakes, Torres “Tory” Bennett and Jude Bennett, whose baby picture was always Buck’s featured picture on Facebook.  Buck played backyard basketball with Lane but cut it short when Charlie’s Angels was on TV.  He also took Lane fishing no matter the weather and finally was the best man to Lane and Chryssy, who now are celebrating their 28th year of marriage. Buck was absolutely devoted to his mother Ruth Bennett and his father Lester Bennett.  Buck dearly loved his two sisters Diane “Nan” Mizell (Rev. Larry Mizell) and Janice “Jan” Walters along with their children, his nieces and nephews, D’Lea Mizell Hollandsworth, Matt Mizell, Chad Walters, and the late and cherished Megan Mizell.  The family would like to express their gratitude to Mike and Cathy Pierce and Eric Breland for their devotion to Buck in his last days.

Thank you, Bogalusa.  If you are reading this, then you like everyone else in Bogalusa contributed to his life and were a big part of it.  Smile and remember Buck as you knew Buck personally and through what he wrote.   You were a vital part of his life and his journey!  It was Buck’s wish to forgo a service but rather be remembered as he survives through your memories.