L. Brock Bennington
L. Brock Bennington, 50, passed away on January 20, 2020.
Brock was born and raised in Chattanooga. In his youth, he was a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 82, attaining the rank of Life Scout. He attended the McCallie School before graduating in 1988 from Central High School. While attending UTC, he was a founding member of the Sigma-Omega chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
He had many jobs over the years, however Brock was most proud of his years in law enforcement, including working as a jailor with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and as a trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. At age 18, Brock joined the Tennessee Army National Guard. His nearly three decades of service involved multiple deployments, including Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm as a member of the 1/181st Field Artillery Unit. Upon retirement, he held the rank of SFC. Brock was known to the amateur radio community as KG4VUL, as a general class ham radio operator. Being a Ham offered Brock an outlet to volunteer with numerous organizations, including the Chattanooga Ironman. As an ARES member, he volunteered many hours in emergency communications in conjunction with TEMA, FEMA, and the American Red Cross, including assisting with the disaster response to Hurricane Katrina. Brock was a lifelong member of Pilgrim Congregational Church. He was a lover of old movies, good music, German Shepherds, and orange tabby cats. He was an avid reader, amateur genealogist, friend of Bill W. and consummate southern gentleman. Proud to be a Democrat, Brock talked politics for sport.
He was preceded in death by his father, R. Lowell Bennington; sister, Ila Erin Bennington; grandparents, Ray L. and Juanita Brock, Robert Bennington, and Nancy Higgins as well as several beloved aunts and uncles.
Brock is survived by his mother, Ila Raye Bennington; sisters, Robin Seaton (Craig), and Blair Cannon (Eddie); nephew and nieces, Benn Seaton, Grace Cannon, Ainsley Seaton, and Addie Cannon, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Turner Funeral Home at Highway 58.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 400 Glenwood Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404 with Reverend Scott Williamson officiating. A graveside service for Brock will be held at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m., where he will be laid to rest with full military honors.
Donations may be made to fisherhouse.org or woundedwarriorproject.org.
Arrangements are made by Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58 Chapel, 423 622-3171.