Dale Ray Bennett passed away peacefully at his Tulsa home on March 15, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by his daughter Lauren Bennett, her partner Rachel Zack, and his close friend and ex-wife Debbie Poland. A memorial service will be held at The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge (1801 N McKinley Ave Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063) from 2-4pm on Thursday, March 20th.

Born in Midwest City in 1953, Dale was a gifted athlete who excelled in basketball and baseball. Dale graduated from Carl Albert High School in 1972 and maintained many of the friendships he made during that time. After graduating, he married Debbie Brandon and they welcomed their daughter, Lauren, who was the light of his life. Dale dedicated many years of his life to serving his community as a Midwest City firefighter. His bravery and commitment to public service touched countless lives throughout his career. Dale also managed a boat marina at Grand Lake for a number of years before spending the rest of his career, over three decades in the sign business in Tulsa. Tulsa is where he created his perfect home oasis with a pool and garden, often hosting pool parties, flipping burgers and sharing his homegrown tomatoes.

Dale found his love of golf as a young man and it became his lifelong passion. He spent countless hours at Twin Hills, drinking Double Club’s, playing in the Twin Ding and later at the Canyons, where he held a standing weekend tee time with his best friends. Dale’s love of golf was shared by his daughter Lauren, and the two took a cherished golf trip every year trying to visit as many courses as possible and replay some of their favorites: Memphis, Palm Springs, Monterrey, Shangri-La and more.

Dale was a lifelong sports fan – the biggest fan of the Yankees and Celtics– a love that started when he was a boy. He also loved his Sooners (and was a closet Texas Longhorn fan - just like his daughter - for shame!)

Known for his sharp dressing style and matching socks and shirts, Dale made meaningful friendships everywhere he went, including wherever Lauren lived – from Austin all the way to San Francisco. In his later years, he became a cat man, finding companionship with his best friend, Thunder Kitty.

Dale is survived by his daughter Lauren and her partner Rachel; his grandcat Ruby; twin sister Gail Fry, her husband Jack and their son Shane and family; older sister Nila Savage and her children Courtney and Kenzie and their families; and his ex-wife and friend Debbie Poland and her husband Rick Poland.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Wanda; his niece Jamie and best cat friend, Thunder Kitty.

Memorial Service Information

Memorial services will be held at The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge (1801 N McKinley Ave Rd, Sand Springs, OK 74063, https://g.co/kgs/NtxXLiK) from 2-4pm on Thursday, March 20th. Wear your best golf gear :)

As many of you know, Dale was his daughter Lauren's everlasting golf teacher (and gear sponsor), instilling in her a love for the sport. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to Girls Golf LPGA ( https://www.girlsgolf.org/give ). Girls Golf provides girls with quality golf instruction to help them fall in love with the game, and we know Dale would be pleased to leave this behind as part of his legacy. Please join us for this celebration of his life this Thursday. 

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