Funeral Services: 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 26th at Heartland Funeral Home Comanche, Chapel. Burial: Evergreen Cemetery, Gustine, TX.
James Keith “Jack” Pettit passed away Friday, November 22, 2024 at the age of 86 years in Stephenville, TX. He was a loving father, husband, brother, and friend to many. He was born August 25, 1938 in Hamilton, TX to William Clifford Pettit and Effie Mae Pettit.
Jack grew up on a ranch near Pettit, TX where his family ran cattle and sheep. At an early age, Jack and his older brother could be found many days on horseback helping their father, Cliff, on the ranch. He also showed cattle and was involved in FFA and athletics. He graduated from Comanche High School in 1956. Jack then attended and graduated from Tarleton State Junior College in 1958 where he was active in track and field, collegiate FFA, and livestock judging. Jack was an avid athlete and was very successful on the track while representing Tarleton. In fact, he was inducted into the Tarleton State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980 for his leadership both on and off the track. Jack then enrolled in Texas Tech University in the fall of 1958 and was initially a walk-on to the Texas Tech track team led by Coach Don Sparks. Upon seeing Jack outperform his scholarship athletes in practice, Coach Sparks offered Jack a scholarship and he represented Texas Tech in the Southwest Conference. He excelled in the 220 yard low hurdles, as well as, the long jump and sprint relays. He became Captain of the track team, competed in many meets across Texas and the Midwest, and won the Southwest Conference Championship in the Spring of 1960. He still holds the record in the 220 yard low hurdles at Texas Tech. Upon graduation from Texas Tech in 1960 with an Ag Education degree, he joined Hamilton ISD as a track and football coach. After one year in Hamilton, he enlisted in the US Army and served for almost 2 years and was stationed at both Ft. Wood in Jefferson City, Missouri and Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. After leaving the Army, he then moved to Granbury, TX and was an Ag Teacher for Granbury ISD. In 1965, Jack’s father passed away, so he moved back to the ranch to help his mother through this transition. In 1966, Jack began his employment with Stephenville PCA as a loan officer in their Eastland, TX branch office. Jack discovered he had a passion for ag lending and serving farmers and ranchers in the Central TX area. After 2 years in Eastland, he was promoted to branch manager in the Fort Worth office and continued to serve the lending needs of ranchers, farmers, and dairymen. He also worked part time with his brother Ken, on the Fort Worth Stockyards trading cattle and sheep. It was during his time in Fort Worth that Jack met the love of his life, Willie Fern Bell of Azle, TX. They were married on April 4, 1969, and soon had two sons, Jeff and Jason. In 1977, Jack was promoted to President and CEO of Stephenville PCA. He served as the CEO for 16 years and under his management, it became one of the most sound and respected Associations in the Tenth Farm Credit District which covered Texas and parts of Louisiana and New Mexico. Upon his retirement in 1992, Jack was inducted into Farm Credit’s Academy of Honor in Austin, TX for his decades of leadership, contributions, and service.
As a person with unquestioned work ethic, it is also noted Jack always operated a cow/calf operation during his tenure with PCA. Countless weekends and nights were spent around Energy, TX, along with his sons, tending to the ranch…often by headlights after working all day. In retirement, Jack became a full-time rancher and he and his son, Jeff, operated Pettit Cattle Company. On December 25, 2007, Jack suffered a debilitating stroke which left him paralyzed in his left leg. Over the past 17 years, he continued to be an inspiration and mentor to his family and is noted he never complained and never stopped loving his fellow man. Jack had a gentle and humble nature, and he truly loved his family and friends. To have known him was to respect and love him. He welcomed the Lord into his heart at an early age and he exemplified his faith each day. He was a member of Pettit Baptist Church.
Jack is survived by his two sons, Jeff Pettit of Gustine and Jason and wife Yvette of Abilene; 6 grandchildren, Will Pettit – Abilene, Weston Pettit – Abilene, Brittany Miles-Azle, Blake Pettit – Hamilton, Clarissa Silva (Randy) – San Antonio, Claudia Salinas (Sergio) -Edinburg; 1 great grandson, Braxton Pettit – Abilene, sister, Kay McDougal – Energy, brother Bill Pettit (Linda) – Energy; brothers-in-law Dwayne Bell (Cindy) and Dwyatt Bell (Ginger), and sister-in-law Gloria Wheeler, as well as, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Willie Fern Pettit, parents William Clifford and Effie Mae Pettit-Willingham, brother, Kenneth Earl Pettit, and longtime family friend, Grady Tumlinson.
Funeral service is to be officiated by Pastor Ronnie Calcote and Mr. Scotty Elston. Pallbearers will be Will Pettit, Blake Pettit, Weston Pettit, Joe Bob Huddleston, Alan Watson, and Scotty Elston.
Memorials in memory of Jack Pettit can be made to Pettit Baptist Church, 150 CR 248, Gustine, TX 76455 or the Foster Home of Stephenville.