Dr. John Elton Petty's Obituary
Humanitarian, Adventurer, Chiropractor, Nature Lover, World Traveler, Photographer, Farmer & Rancher, Bee Keeper, Marathon Runner, Yogi, Wood Worker, Rotarian, Christian, Businessman, Practical Joker, Church and Community Volunteer, Husband, Father, Grandfather…One of a Kind.
John Elton Petty was born in Gilmer, Texas on December 27, 1950 to Elton Gaston Petty and Frances Elizabeth Crawford Petty. He grew up on a farm with his brother and quickly became a student of nature. John graduated from Gilmer High School in 1969. He married his beloved wife, Linda Beene, on July 17, 1971. John attended Kilgore Junior College and San Jacinto College, and obtained his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Texas Chiropractic College in 1974. Upon graduation, he opened his chiropractic practice and treated patients for the balance of his life.
John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Beene Petty, son Robert John Petty, daughter and son-in-law Robin and Kyle Adams, and daughter and son-in-law Laura and Brett Miller. He was known as Papa John by his six grandchildren: Tanner and Camille Petty, Anna and Isaac Adams, and Evelyn and Margot Miller. Also surviving him are his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Cheryl Petty, his aunt, Tirzah Petty, his mother-in-law, Frances Imogene Beene, his sister-in-law, Sue Marrs and her husband, Steve, his nephews Michael Petty, Keith McKinley, Josh Marrs, and Michael Marrs, his niece, Stacey Tomlin, and his former daughter-in-law, Renee Stewart.
John is also survived by his many life-long friends; his long-time assistants, Judy Luttrell and Kelley Lindsay; his C-Max employees; and his professional colleagues. He leaves behind the many friends in his community groups, including the Downtown Rotary Club, the Gilmer High School Class of 1969, his running buddies, fellow yogis, the Longview Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Underwater Photography Society, Great Texas Balloon Race, and countless others.
John truly lived life to the fullest, never wasting a minute of the day. He was driven and inspired by the beauty of God’s creation, a passion he drew from his early days on the farm. John inspired so many and his absence will be profound. His family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the overwhelming concern, prayers, and support from friends and the community.
Though John’s earthly adventures have ceased, his Heavenly adventures have just begun! A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 19th at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Longview, with a reception to follow at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund or Polio Plus Fund at P.O. Box 2244, Longview, TX 75606, Attn: Rotary Foundation Director, Longview Museum of Fine Arts at 215 East Tyler Street, Longview, TX 75606, or The Junior League of Longview Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 866, Longview, TX 75606, Attn: Scholarship Fund.
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