Bennie Robert Arp

Bennie Robert Arp, age 79 of Knoxville, TN, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Sunday, October 19, 2025. He loved his family dearly, treasured his many friends, was a beloved boss to his employees and had a generous heart for those in need. A native of Oak Ridge, TN. Bennie was a graduate of Oak Ridge High School Class of 1963 where he was a starting player for Oak Ridge Football’s 1961 and 1962 state championship seasons. He went on to sign an SEC Football Scholarship to the University of Kentucky where he played for two years. He then transferred on scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University where he was a starting linebacker on the 1966-67 and 1967-68 teams. Bennie was the first member of his family to earn a 4-year college degree. He met his wife Susan while at MTSU and they were married in July of 1967. After graduation in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Bennie, a natural salesman with a warm smile and a big laugh had a standout first career in pharmaceutical sales. He then transitioned into a lifelong 51-year career with State Farm Insurance. Bennie was an award-winning agent in Chattanooga, TN before being promoted to District Manager in the Tri-Cities. In 1995 he took the opportunity to move back to his successful roots as an agent in Knoxville, TN. For fun he loved golfing with his buddies and tail-gaiting at University of Tennessee football games with friends. However, his true passion was boating and spending time with friends and family at their cabin on Watts Bar Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie M. Arp and Martha Lillian (aka Mae) Arp of Oak Ridge, TN; sister Pollyanna Arp Hall of Oak Ridge, TN; and daughter-in-law Shannon Milder Arp of Knoxville, TN. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Susan Sellers Arp of Knoxville, TN; sons William Kenneth Arp (Camelia) of Greenville, SC, and Brett Baker Arp of Knoxville, TN; granddaughters Montana Arp and Madison Arp of Greenville, SC; nephews Wes Hall (Katie) of Murfreesboro, TN and Jason Hall (Heather) of Knoxville, TN; and great nieces Ella Catherine and George Mae Hall of Murfreesboro, TN & Rachel Mackenzie Hall of Knoxville, TN. The family also expresses our gratitude to Bennie’s past employees Vickie Waggoner, Mary Frances Goodson, and Terry Toole; and to present staff Kim Hughes, Ann Love and Carolyn Riggs for their professional and loyal service to the Bennie Arp State Farm Agency in Knoxville, TN. The family will host a Celebration of Life Reception in memory of Bennie on Sunday, November 2, 2025 from 3-5 p.m. at Chesapeake West Restaurant, 9630 Parkside Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922. Bennie loved his many dogs but especially the rescues, Beau & Benji, and the family asks in lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to Small Breeds Rescue of East Tennessee or Young-Williams Animal Center. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Bennie Robert Arp

November 9, 1945 - October 19, 2025