Lowell Petty

Lowell Ellis Petty, 90, a Bosqueville resident, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2004, in Bowie.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2004, at Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ with Ernie Christie officiating. Burial will follow in Bosqueville Cemetery by OakCrest Funeral Home.

[b]His Life[/b]
Lowell Ellis Petty was born on April 23, 1913 on a farm south of Breckenridge, Texas to parents Houston Elijah Petty and Ruby Hodges Petty. He attended Parks School in Stephens County.

As an adult, he worked in a carbon black plant, in pipeline construction, and also in a creamery in Amarillo before moving near Odessa to work in a Goldsmith gasoline plant. In 1942 he was employed by the Leon Texas Electric plant as a pumper, and later became a plant fireman.

In 1950 he transferred to Mitchell County Morgan Creek plant in Colorado City as a switchboard operator. He was later promoted to Shift Engineer at the Morgan Creek plant, and retired from Texas Electric in 1978.

Lowell married Geraldine Miller of Eastland, Texas, in 1940. Lowell and Jerry shared 63 years of marriage, and reared a son and a daughter, Don Ellis and Shannon Jean. They enjoyed many years raising their family in Colorado City, where they were members of the 22nd and Austin Street Church of Christ.

After retirement Lowell and Jerry moved to Bosqueville, Texas. They spent their retirement years living in Bosqueville and Bowie, enjoying time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lowell was a member of the Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ in Waco. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, sports, fishing, bird hunting, and cattle ranching.

[b]survivors[/b]
Lowell is survived by his wife, Jerry; two children, son, Don Ellis Petty and wife, Orinea Fay of Waco; daughter, Shannon Jean Brown and her husband, Mike of Bowie; five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Odell Petty and his sister, Evelyn Petty White.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had big, strong hands and a big, soft heart. His family is thankful for his long life, and he will be missed by all who love him dearly.


[b]Things Dad Taught Me

Listen more than you talk. Think before you speak.
Share food with family and friends every chance you get.
Tell stories, share jokes, and eat pinto beans and cornbread together. Then have a sing-along of church songs.
A man needs a workshop. Keep your tools clean and oiled.
Keep your engines running smoothly. Change the oil in your pickup regularly.
The tighter you can screw it on, the better.
Take care of business. Honor your word. Help your neighbors.
Keep the cows' water trough full, and pet your dog often. Feed the birds.
The patio has the best seat in the house. Visitors are always welcome. A cup of black coffee is necessary.
Kids need a tree swing, and the back yard needs a place to have a picnic.
Put on clean khakis and a good cap to go to town.
Chicken and dumplings is a good thing. So are fresh eggs and biscuits and gravy.
Everything is better with pepper sauce on it. Everything.
Come to the table the first time you are called. Let the cook know you enjoyed the meal.
Keep your yard neat and your house in good repair. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Clean your guns well and always carry a sharp pocket knife. Keep a toothpick in your shirt pocket.
Pay attention to the precious children. Laugh with them. They are amazing.
Never take yourself too seriously. Be happy and enjoy life. Laugh at people's jokes. Look for the funny stuff.
Keep your sense of humor, no matter how bleak things seem. Laughter really is good medicine.
Love each other. Take care of those you love.
Greet everyone with a firm handshake and a big smile.
Hug like you mean it