J. L. Pettiet(Tulia)

Tulia, Texas— J.L. Pettiet, 69, died Wednesday, December 3, 2008 in Tulia. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, December 8, 2008 in the First Baptist Church with Rev. James Hassell officiating. Arrangments are under the direction of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. J.L. was born March 27, 1939 in Levelland, Texas to Eddie and Myrtie Pettiet. As a young boy he always loved the outdoors, farming, cattle or anything pertaining to this. When he was 7 years old the family moved to Vigo Park, Texas. He grew up and attended school in Tulia. When he graduated from high school he started his lifelong dream: Custom Harvesting on the road. A successful business, he made many friends and customers along the way. On April 25, 1966 he married the love of his life, Modena Bartlett in Denver, Colorado. Together they shared 42 years on the Harvest Trail. J.L.’s goal was to achieve 50 years of harvesting and in 2007 this dream came true. His health forced retirement in 2008. In 1983 he helped form the US Custom Harvesters office in Tulia and served as President for 5 years. Easter Sunday in 2008 he placed his membership in First Baptist Church of Tulia. In March of 2008 J.L. was asked to be the guest speaker at the US Custom Harvesters 25th year convention in Wichita Falls. He is preceded in death by his parents and two sons; Danny Lynn Pettiet and Barry Lee Pettiet. He is survived by his wife; Modena Pettiet of Tulia, two sisters; Ruth Irby of Huntsville and Charlsye Goodrich of Cuero, three nieces and three nephews and many cousins. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the US Custom Harvesters, 119 W. Sherman, Hutchinson, KS 67501, Tulia Cemetery, PO Box 116, Tulia, TX 79088 or to the First Baptist Church, 101 N. Crosby, Tulia, Texas 79088.