James Petty

James Leo Petty, 95, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather left us to be with Jesus on December 16, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. He was born in O'Donnell, Texas, the youngest of seven children, on January 7, 1926, to James Oscar Petty and Lois Minerva Casbeer Petty. He lived outside of O'Donnell on a farm until April 1944 when he headed to Amarillo for boot camp in the Army Air Corp. He was too tall to be a pilot, so he was trained at the airbase in Scottsville, Illinois to be a radio operator. He had other training and moved to other towns and eventually was sent to the Asiatic Pacific Theater where he served on planes flying men and supplies wherever needed until January 1946. For three months he made flights to different islands. He then flew to San Francisco, took a train to Big Springs, Texas and hitchhiked to O'Donnell, where Grandma Petty ran down the road to meet him! A few years ago, when I was talking to him, he brought up that memory, and said he was looking forward to the next time they would be together again. Jim married JoAnn Irwin in Amarillo, Texas on December 19, 1946. Barbara came along on November 22, 1946. Rob joined the family on June 2, 1950. They made a home where we were safe, cared for and loved. Laughter and joy were abundant. Character values were instilled in us and we were given the ability to help us make proper choices throughout our lives. Dad worked at the American Smelting and Refining Company until he retired in 1988. Mom passed away on April 30, 1984. Dad married Alma Rhea Cantrell on September 22, 1984. She had a son, Johnny Cantrell, deceased. They moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1993. We always felt welcomed and enjoyed good times together when we could visit. Alma passed away on June 23, 2006. Dad stayed in Lubbock and Rob eventually joined him and helped out until Dad's passing. Dad met a special friend, Sally Strouth. They would get together often and play games or go to Senior Citizens to dance to a live band or just hold hands while watching television. She was a gift in dad's last years. There are 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.

Dad loved life and loved people, especially family. It was always a good time when the whole family could get together at Grandma's house. The kids would play together, the women cooked (probably not as much fun), and the men loved to play 42. Just one more game; they all wanted to win!. Meanwhile, the wives were waiting at the door to head home. On his off time he played golf, shuffleboard, cards and dominoes; all kinds of games. He enjoyed listening to music! He cooked excellent steaks on the grill. He took good care of what God blessed him with. If someone needed help or was in need, he was there.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of Glory Divine. Our hope is knowing that we have assurance of this. Dad (Grandpa) is there! He is singing songs of praise! Romans 8:37 Amid all these things, I am more than a conqueror and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who Loves me. 1 John 5:1-5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. I know I love God's children if I love God and obey his commandments.
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and that isn't difficult. For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. Only the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. John 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Combest Family Funeral Homes. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 23, 2021, at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Amarillo, 14200 Texas Plains Trail, Amarillo, Texas.