Gene Pettit

Services are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 13, at First Presbyterian Church for Gene L. Pettit, 1913 W. Ray Ave., Artesia, New Mexico. Mr. Pettit, 73, died Sunday, August 10, 2008 at his home. Rev. Cathy Anderson will officiate at the services. Cremation is under the direction of Terpening Son Mortuary. No visitation is planned. Gene was born April 13, 1935 in Abilene, Kansas; the son of William Evan Pettit and Katy Young Pettit. He served honorably in the United States Air Force and came to Artesia in 1953. On Aug. 6, 1955 he was married to Helen B. Howell in Artesia. He was a serviceman for Southwestern Public Service for 37 years. He was a member and Elder of First Presbyterian Church, and loved cooking breakfast for the Presbyterian men. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and served as president of the 40th Bomb Squadron Reunion. He enjoyed working in his shop and shooting with sons and grandsons. Gene was preceded in death by one brother, three sisters, and one grandson. Survivors include his wife Helen Pettit of the family home; sons Herbert Evan Pettit and wife Jo of Richmond, Kentucky and Warren Ray Pettit and wife Andrea of Hagerman, N.M.; a brother Thomas Joe Pettit of Yuma, Ariz.; sister-in-law Dora Russell of Sunnyvale, Calif; grandsons Evan Pettit, Ryan Pettit and Tom Pettit; four nephews, two nieces; and two great nieces The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1476, Artesia, NM 88211.