Funeral services for Norman Petty, age 87, of Zephyr, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Zephyr Baptist Church, burial will follow at the Zephyr Cemetery. Church of Christ minister, Aaron Lamont, will officiate. Visitation will be held from 6-7pm Friday at the funeral home. Services are under direction of Davis-Morris Funeral Home. Norman passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Redstone Park Retirement & Assisted Living Community.
Norman Bradley Petty was born Oct. 31, 1923 in Zephyr, to Calvin Murphy and Minnie Davee Petty. He graduated from Zephyr High School. He served in the Navy during WWII. He was married to Joy McCoy in Dublin, TX on March 31, 1945. They moved to Oregon where he worked as a Government logscaler for 12 years. They returned to Texas in 1962 where he was a rancher. Together with his wife they owned and operated Petty’s Grocery and Feed Store in Zephyr for 49 years. He was a member of Zephyr Church of Christ.
Norman was a kind and loving man. He lived as Christian example for his friends and family. He always had the time to share his experience, lend his tools, offer a helping hand or listening ear to both friends and strangers. He had a deep respect for all God’s creatures. Ranching was his dream fulfilled. In later years you would find him on his bench visiting, telling his stories, and waiting to greet the school kids. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years; a daughter, Carolyn Poer and husband Arlan of Sanger; a son, Stephen Petty and wife Bobbie of Zephyr; a daughter, Elaine Brown and husband Randy of Santa Anna; 6 grandchildren; Sharon McLennan, Douglas Mclennan, Christy Robinson, Michael Petty, Calvin Brown and Logan Brown; Three step-grandchildren; Charles Brown, Marsha Harvey, and Shannon Herrod; 10 great-grandchildren, Jack Robinson, Bradley Robinson, Christopher Robinson, Ashley Robinson, Tristan Petty, Scarlett Petty, Bruce Brown, Brock Brown, Brad Brown and Mason Brown; 10 step great-grandchildren; Lance Vasquez, Sarah Herrod, Jacob Herrod, Cody Brown, Larissa Harvey, Dustin Harvey, Jarod Harvey, William Brown, Brittney Brown and Chelcie Brown. He is survived by a brother, Merlin of Florence, OR, and a sister Mary Francis (Reece) of Anatone, WA.
Mr. Petty was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 brothers; Ralph Petty and Arlon Petty.