08/03/2026
Thank you for everything, Jerry.
This past Friday, July 31, our community lost someone that I consider to be a hero. Jerry Bennett faithfully served this community for 50 years as a State Farm agent, and I owe so much to him, and others just like him.
Just as I opened my doors in January 2018, Jerry celebrated his retirement at the end of the same month. In my first week, I drove over to Jerry's office and met with him, and his amazing team member, the late Alice Smith (we miss you, Alice). From that day on, Jerry was one of our biggest supporters over the years, and I've learned more about State Farm history from him than anybody.
After Jerry's last day in office, he drove over to my office and gave me a gift. In Jerry's office, he had the coolest artwork of a Razorback with our company slogan on it and the State Farm logo. I had remarked on how neat of a picture that was hanging on the wall, and he told me about it and pointed out artist's signature and date, 1976! Jerry proudly had this picture hanging on his wall for over 40 years, and the same picture has proudly hung on my wall for the past 8+ years, and it will continue to hang proudly on my wall for as long as I am blessed to be an agent for this great company.
Every time I look over to the right from my desk, I'll be reminded of Jerry and the legacy he leaves. See, if not for men and women like Jerry Bennett who built this great company, my team and I would not be sitting where we are today. So many before us have lived out the mission of truly being a Good Neighbor, and it's the people like Jerry who have taught me that being a Good Neighbor isn't just a job or a career, it is a life. It becomes who we are. I hope every version of my team and I are enough to continue to carry the torch that people like you leave behind.
Thank you Jerry, for being one of the best Good Neighbors I'll ever get to know. Rest in Peace, and we'll take it from here💙
