Thomas Bennett Rippetoe

June 25, 1949 - December 5, 2025

Thomas Bennett Rippetoe, known by his family and friends as Benny, age 76, a resident of Mulberry,

TN transitioned to his heavenly home during the early morning hours of December 5, 2025. Benny

was a patient at the Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Fayetteville at the time of his passing.

Benny was a proud member of the University of Alabama’s football team from 1969 to 1971 as one of

its quarterbacks, where in his final year he completed 75% of his passes. Benny loved to show his

offer letter, a prized possession, signed by legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Benny worked in

construction for most of his adult life and built log homes prior to retiring. He was a “jack of all trades”

who loved to tinker around the house.

Benny was preceded in death by his father Kelland Conway Rippetoe, his mother Louise Lane

Rippetoe, and his brother Lance Corporal Rae Kelland Rippetoe a Purple Heart recipient who died

during the Vietnam conflict. Benny is survived by his brother Ronald Rippetoe of Mohawk, TN;

daughter Erin Treadwell of Destin, FL; son Bennett Rippetoe, Jr of Tallahassee, Fl; grandchildren

Tyndal and Tolan Treadwell; and close friends Cecil Moses, Keith Moses and Jeff Land.

A small private ceremony will be held graveside at the Greene Lawn Memory Gardens in Greeneville,

TN at a future date.

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