LONG PRAIRIE, Minn. — On Thursday morning, people will fill the Long Prairie Gray Eagle High School gym for the funeral of Barry and Carol Bennett, just days after their son was arrested in Mexico and charged with their murder.
It will be one of the toughest eulogies pastor Dave Gibson has ever given.
"It was just like a gut-punch. It's just really, really a tragedy," Gibson said.
"Dave was more than a friend. He's like a brother. There's a scripture that says there's a friend that sticks closer than a brother."
The two men became friends in middle school, after Barry Bennett moved to North St Paul. By high school, they bonded over their love of sports.
"Barry's resume, athletically, is quite impressive," Gibson said, "He was an all-state tackle in football and state heavyweight wrestling champ. He played 11 seasons in the NFL. But I think the greatest legacy of Barry's life isn't measured by the resume. I think you measure it by the person's eulogy. What do they say about you when you pass?"
Gibson says his eulogy for Barry and Carol goes far beyond sports because the spiritual bond they shared went much deeper. Throughout his time in the NFL, Barry regularly met with Gibson, who worked for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. After retiring from football, Barry also became a Deacon for the First Baptist Church in Long Prairie where Carol was also heavily involved.
"I think how they lived their lives will echo into eternity," Gibson said. "Carol was just a gem. She swept Barry off his feet and they had four wonderful kids."
Years later, the couple adopted two more boys, including their son Dylan. What Gibson didn't know, was, last year, Barry reported to police that Dylan had expressed homicidal thoughts about killing his parents.
Then, last week, Dylan Bennett allegedly shot his parents, left the state and flew to Mexico. Days later he was arrested in Cancun and returned to Minnesota where he faces murder charges.
"People need help, and here you have two parents that are trying to help and trying to invest their lives in their young boys," Gibson said. "One of the boys will give a eulogy, a tribute to his parents tomorrow. The other one just had a wrong turn and I'm just really praying for Dylan."
He's also preparing to remember a couple who were more than friends.
"I'm really praying for composure," Gibson said. "I'm glad that I hurt. I'm glad that I feel. It just shows the depth of my love for them and the depth of our friendship."
The funeral for Barry and Carol Bennett will begin at 10:30 am, Thursday.
