Ronald Everett Pettey

Memorial services for Ronald Everett Pettey, 66, of Lufkin will be held Friday, March 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Ricky Carrell and Bob Flournoy officiating.

Ron was born May 3, 1949 in Bryan, Texas to Loyce Alexander (L.A.) and Syble Pettey and made his final trip to heaven surrounded by his wife and children on Monday, March 14, 2016 in Lufkin, Texas.

Ron, along with his family, moved to Lufkin in 1954 and was active in First Baptist Church. Ron served in the Naval Reserve from 1969-1970 and was called to active duty 1970-1971, during the Vietnam conflict. He met and married his wife Glenda in San Angelo, Texas in 1973. Ron graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1975 with a B.B.A. in Marketing and Management and began his career as a Sears Store Manager in Huntsville, Texas. He managed stores in Port Lavaca and Alvin, Texas. His career was cut short with the beginning of a series of brain surgeries in 1978. The most traumatic surgery of 1982 became the basis of Ron’s autobiography, Heaven is Real. Ron gave glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ as he shared his near-death experience with friends, family, and audiences over three decades. Ron relived his heavenly experience with awe and amazement each and every time he could speak of it, including as a guest in college classrooms at Stephen F. Austin over a number of years. In 1995, the family was featured on “The 700 Club”, in 2008, Ron and Glenda were guest on Sid Roth’s “It’s Supernatural” and in 2010, on a popular Canadian program, “100 Huntley Street.” Ron relished sharing his first-hand account of John 14:6, where Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light. No one comes to the Father except by Me.” Ron dearly loved his children and grandchildren. Throughout the 1990’s the family especially enjoyed traveling and exploring state parks in their pop-up camper. Ron was a long time member of Word of Life Church in Lufkin and a member of the Lufkin Chapter of the Order of St. Luke, the Physician (OSL) since 2002.
Ron is survived by his wife, Glenda; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Josh Smith; daughter, Kim Pettey; son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Vickie Pettey; daughter and son-in-law, Kelli and Kenneth Brookshire; 6 grandchildren, Jason Smith (6), Taylor (7), Charlie Pettey (3), Caroline (6), Henry Thacker (3), Kennli Brookshire (1) all of Lufkin; sister and brother-in-law, Nell and Larry Hill of Lufkin; brother-in-law, Gary Stricklin and his daughter, Araya of Abilene; 3 nephews, Kerry, Kevin, and Kenneth Hill and their wives and children.
He was preceded in death by his parents and still-born son, Jason Everett Pettey.
Pallbearers will be Doug Pettey, Kerry Hill, Kevin Hill, Kenneth Hill, Josh Smith, and Kenneth Brookshire.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Welcome Home Initiative, at www.ByHisWoundsMinistry.Org , a ministry of By His Wounds, Inc.
The family would like to thank Brigitte Black, an exceptional friend and nurse, who helped with Ron’s care over the past several years,
The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.
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