Larry Petty, age 81, of Brownwood, passed peacefully into Heaven surrounded by his loving family members on October 3, 2022. Funeral services for Larry will be held at 2:00PM on Friday October 7 in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held from 6-8PM on Thursday October 6 at Heartland Funeral Home.
Larry Petty was born February 18, 1941 to Roscoe and Bonita Petty in Brownwood Texas.
Larry married the love of his life, Jean Leus April 21, 1962 in Brownwood. They were married 51 years when she passed in 2013. He had health issues for years yet stayed strong. He was sharp minded and funny even when in pain. This February he entered a local nursing home. He absolutely hated being there even though it was a very nice facility. He planned and executed an escape to live his final days at home!
Larry was very diverse and a hard worker his entire life. His passion was farming and animals. Wherever he lived, be it Texas, Oklahoma or Alaska, he had some type of farm and animals. He loved dogs, plants, poker and tractors!
He developed several new techniques for farming and fertilizer in Alaska. He owned a trucking and disposal company in Alaska.
Larry was an army veteran and stationed in Germany. He was proud of his service to his country, but was a bit too combative for the military culture. Truth is, he just loved to fight. Unfortunately, this led to his discharge, which was probably just as well. Larry never quite adjusted to being told what to do. That nature also probably tied into his escape from the nursing home.
Larry worked for the Santa Fe and Alaskan railroads. He also worked at a US radar installation north of the Arctic circle.
He was passionate about conservative politics. He helped with the Alaska Governor’s race and several local races. He watched Fox News constantly. He loved playing poker and slot machines. He demanded we go on one last poker/slots trip in July. He had a huge chip stack in the senior’s poker tournament when he fell ill and could not continue. He was a member of Austin Avenue Church of Christ.
Larry is survived by son, Walan Kite and wife Vicki; nieces Angela Strube and husband Dean, Missy Stockman and husband Bill, Sabrina Landers, Lindy Welch, Christy Scott, Charlie Lopez and husband Rudy, Tiny Jean Lobstein and husband Gerald; nephew, Lee “Cowboy” Welch and wife Sonja; cousins Judy Baker, Cecil Ray Chapman of San Angelo, Wilma Joyce Rowell of Midland, Elmer “Skinner” Lee Chapman and wife Solange of Brownwood; granddaughters Brandi Kite, Tiffany Shannon and husband Nathan; grandsons Tristan Scantling and Amoriuz Powell; sister-in-law Paula Poole and husband Ed; Dozens of great grandchildren, grand and great grand nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by wife Jean Petty, mother Bonita Petty, father Roscoe Petty, sister Louise Welch, son Jeff Kite. Cousins Johnny Earl Chapman and Kathy May Jacks.
Larry would prefer memorial potted plants instead of flowers. Condolences, memories and tributes can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net
