Terrance Arnold Pettit

Arnold Pettit was born on Oct. 11, 1935, in Yankton, S.D. He moved to (Vernon County) Nevada, Mo., at six months of age and lived there most of his life. He departed this life on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, at home with his wife.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanie Pettit. They were married Sept. 30, 1993.

He is also survived by his children, Debbie Wortman and spouse Doug, Trecia Pettit, Terrance (Terry) Pettit and spouse Shelly, Shannon Pettit and spouse Karen, Chris Pettit and spouse Kiia, Susie Benfield and spouse Carl, Donnie Gary and spouse Christy and Jody Chorley; 22 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Irwin Pettit; his mother, Josephine Merkwan Pettit; his siblings, Kenneth Irwin Pettit, Irving James Pettit, Alta Faye Murah Collins, and Doris Audrey Ryan; and his first wife, Carol Long Pettit.

Arnold grew up in Bellamy and Sheldon, Mo., and attended school at Science Hill and Sheldon High School. He was a contract painter for Phillips Oil for 35 plus years. He proudly served his country in the Army National Guard and retired Oct. 31, 1961. He was the founder of the Southwest Missouri Team Penners Association. He was a cowboy at heart. He was well known for his quarter horse breeding program.

He was a member of the Lord’s Remuda Country Church. Arnold’s life is best defined by his love of God and how he showed and shared his faith. He was always willing to allow the Lord to use him.

He was happiest when he was teasing his grandkids, in the company of his family and friends or on the back of a horse trail riding, working cattle, competition pinning and working his ranch with his wife. His love and his legacy will live on through his family, his friends and through the animals he bred, raised, and trained. Arnold was an avid coon hunter for many years, and he raised and bred champion coonhounds.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Newton Burial Park, in Nevada, with Pastor Roger Beach and Pastor Scotty Pritchett officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, prior to the service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested to the “Church of your Choice” in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.