Jack Lee Petty

Friday, March 4, 2022

Jack Lee Petty, 82, of Burdette, passed from this life on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the UAMS Hospital in Little Rock. He was born Nov. 15, 1939, to Sam and Elbertie “Bert” Lee Petty in the Burdette area. He was a farmer and of the Baptist faith. Jack served his country with honor in the United States Army Reserves and was a graduate of Burdette High School.

Jack was a truly unique individual who was loved by many. He was a fiercely independent person who was probably the most honest person you would ever meet. As a farmer, he was hard working and his life was an example of dedicated work ethics. He never told anyone how to do anything, but rather he showed everyone by example. These characteristics were ingrained in him by his father. Jack farmed his entire life in the community where he was born and raised. He never lived or farmed more than two miles from the location of the little farmhouse that he was born in. During the 1960s, Jack served honorably in the Army Reserves where he rose to the rank of staff sergeant. He also was employed at Southwire in Osceola for three years in the 1980s. He carried on all of these extra jobs and responsibilities while still farming full time.

Jack always looked forward to being able to spend time with his family and friends. To his grandchildren, Jack had a special relationship and was affectionately known as “Pal paw” or “Paw”. You could always count on Jack to talk like “Donald Duck” to the kids and to clown and joke around with everyone. It was known that Jack had once fed the grandkids orange soda and Doritos for breakfast. He was just helping out and taking care of the kids.

Reunions were important to Jack, whether they were school or family, he always looked forward to being able to reminisce about the good old days. One of Jack's favorite pastimes was to play “washers”. He taught his family well, but not well enough to beat him. He could have been considered a “washer” professional. He also enjoyed playing horseshoes, yard darts and Yahtzee. In high school, he really enjoyed playing football and especially loved baseball, which he played until he was a young adult. He was competitive and would enjoy winning, but more than anything he just simply enjoyed playing and spending time with everyone.

Most of all, Jack was a devoted, loving husband who was married for 58 years to the love of his life, Peggy.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Alfred Cleo “A.C.” Petty, James Utah Petty, and sister, Opal Marie Berry.

Jack is survived by his wife, Peggy Ann Alsup Petty of the home; children, Lee and Linda Petty of Lexa, Cassie and Scott Sullivan of Burdette; grandchildren, Gavin and Chandlor Sullivan of Burdette, Daniel Sullivan of Burdette, Erin and Robert Grogan of Paragould, and Sam Petty of Tonitown; great-grandchildren, James Grogan and Jack Sullivan; sister, Sammie and Buddy Bevill of Blytheville; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Pallbearers will be Gavin Sullivan, Daniel Sullivan, Sam Petty, Mark Bevill, David Berry, Jeff Berry. Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy Bevill, Hugh Don Ashmore, Dowell Conley, Lindsey Fair, Joe Payne, Bobby Franks, Lester Bell, and Clayton “Junior” Morris, John L. Taylor.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 5, at 11 a.m. in the Dogwood Mausoleum Chapel in Dogwood Cemetery with Rev. Don Berry officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at Cobb Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.