Jim Franklin Petty

CWO3 Jim Franklin Petty, USN Retired, passed away in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3, 2012, at the age of 95. Born in Roswell, N.M., May 6, 1917, to Joe R. and Bertie M. Petty, Jim was raised in Ada, Okla., graduating from Ada High School May 18, 1934. He was an award winning swimmer, diver and an all-around athlete as well as attaining Eagle Scout with Palms with Troop 4 while growing up in Ada. He entered the U.S. Navy in Dallas, Texas, on July 8, 1938, and was stationed aboard the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. After Pearl Harbor, he married Bonnie Jeane Seal of Cushing, Okla., and began their lives in the Navy. Throughout his Navy career, Jim won many awards for diving, swimming, softball and football in addition to many commendations for his service to our country. After a career in the Navy, Jim and Bonnie retired to Northwest Arkansas in 1958. Jim worked several years at Baldwin Piano before going to work at the Fayetteville Post Office. In 1966, they moved to El Paso, Texas, where Jim was an instructor in missile systems at Fort Bliss. He worked there for 10 years and also collaborated on several instruction manuals before retiring again. Jim enjoyed stamp collecting throughout his life and had an extensive collection that he was very proud of. He enjoyed his family immensely and always had a new joke to tell. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife of 65 years, Bonnie in 2008; his sister, Irene Cooper; and his brother, Paul Petty. He will be greatly missed by his four children, Linda Bradley (Randy) of Farmington, Ark., Jim David Petty of Springdale, Ark., Tom Petty and Mike Petty (Lisa) of El Paso, Texas; as well as six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Full military honors burial will be at Fort Bliss National Cemetery on Friday, Aug. 17, 2012. Online guest book can be viewed at www.martinfuneralhomeeast.com.