IN LOVING MEMORY

Truman T. Petty, Sr.

MAR 04 1941 - JAN 18 2021

Truman T. Petty Sr. was born on March 4, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan but grew up in South Bend, Indiana. He was the son of John Roy Petty and Venne Ward Petty and went to Glory on January 18, 2021 in McKinney, Texas. Truman was raised in church but started his personal relationship with Jesus Christ in October of 1981. In the years since, he was active in the various Baptist churches he attended by teaching Sunday school, serving as a trustee, and various other leadership roles or anywhere he was needed. Truman was known to sing in the choir from time to time, though oftentimes many wished he wouldn’t.

Tru was known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He mastered the art of the practical joke. He was not ashamed to wear a silly costume or create a funny prop to land the joke. He laughed with his whole body. He was an avid Notre Dame football fan and loved watching and attending NASCAR Races. Tru loved his wife intensely. He loved his children deeply. Truman loved family vacations, long road trips, and camping.  He always loved eating great food. He read the newspaper nearly every day of his adult life - keeping abreast of current events and politics. In his later years, any activity that involved spending time with his grandchildren was his new favorite thing.

During his nearly 8 decades on Earth, Truman began witnessing history via radio, then television, and on to HD color flat screen TV’s. He witnessed the world enter the atomic age. He watched the first men travel into space, land on the moon, and regularly watched space shuttle launches from the front yard in Florida with his children. Truman saw the way he kept up with his people change dramatically throughout his lifetime. First through letters and long-distance phone calls connected via operators. Then he used car phones, computers, emails, and recently Tru’s iPhone that he always worked at but struggled to master (often to others amusement). He marveled that he was able to witness so much progress throughout his lifetime.

Truman is survived by his wife of 41 years, Teresa Petty, his daughter, Lauren Petty-Feenstra, and his son, Truman Tyrone Petty Jr. (Ty) and his wife Alexa, his grandchildren Megan and Keegan Feenstra and a daughter, Jennifer from a previous marriage. He is also survived by his sister Sherry Lambert and niece Andrena Morhill.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Johnny Petty, and a sister, Cindy Ann Petty. He is also survived by a large extended family and many lifelong friends who mourn his passing.

Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, a true celebration of Truman’s life will be held at a later date where friends and family can gather and share their favorite memory and fellowship. His remains will be cremated and stay with the family.

Truman developed a passion for helping America’s veterans and a love for Texas A&M University. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Texas A&M’s Veteran Resource and Support Center. tx.ag/aggieveterans