John Wendell Petty, 68, of Creswell, died May 13 with his wife Loleta Petty and family by his side. He was born Sept. 10, 1952 in Cottage Grove, Ore., to Earl and Hilda Petty. He grew up on the family ranch where he loved to hunt at an early age. The summer of 1971, John met the love of his life Loleta Petty on a ladder picking cherries. In 1973 they were married and spent 47+ years together.
John graduated from Creswell High School in 1970. After graduation John went to LCC to be an automotive tech. As a joke he applied for a job at Sears; 32 years, 11 months, 6 days later he quit and went to Wayne’s Garage, where after six years was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
John has two children, a daughter Kimberly Petty (Deal) and a son Michael (Mike) Petty. He has eight grandkids to which he was quoted saying, “If I knew grandkids were so great I would have had them first.” Austyn Deal, Kelsi Deal, Dakota Deal, Owen Deal, Kenneth Fuller, Tristan Fuller, John Michael Petty, and Michael Petty. one great-grandchild, Axton Fuller.
Throughout his life, John loved the Lord Jesus Christ. His family was very important to him. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church for 35+ years. He served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and director. He taught himself to play guitar to lead worship music. He went on missionary trips to Honduras and one to Mexico with youth from church. John was a volunteer fireman and EMT for the Creswell Fire Dept. He served on the fire board for many years.
Services will be held June 19 at New Hope Baptist Church, Creswell at 11 a.m.
He is survived by his wife, Loleta Petty, sister, Merline Petty (Smith), brothers Steve Petty, Frank Petty, daughter, Kimberly Petty (Deal), son, Michael (Mike) Petty, grandkids, Austyn Deal, Kelsi Deal, Dakota Deal, Owen Deal, Kenneth Fuller, Tristan Fuller, John Michael Petty, Michael David Petty, great-grandchild, Axton Fuller.
