Official Obituary of
Virgil Frank Petty
May 24, 1943 ~ January 31, 2017 (age 73) 73 Years Old
Virgil Petty Obituary
Virgil Frank Petty "PawPaw", 73, slipped into Jesus's arms on Tuesday, January 31, 2017.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907 with Pastor Jonathan McNeese officiating. Active and Retired fire fighters from the Columbus Fire and EMS will serve as Pallbearers. Interment with full firefighter honors will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.
Frank was born May 24, 1943 in Nashville, TN to Jessie and Mattie Petty. He was a beloved father, son, brother, uncle and especially a PawPaw. He attended Greater Life Baptist Church. He graduated from Jordan Vocational High School in 1961. Frank began working at the age of 8 for Mr. J. C. Carver, worked for Windhams Pharmacy, A&P grocery store, Kroger, Big Star and Food Giant stores. He joined the Columbus Fire Department in 1963 at the age of 19 and served for 33 years, retiring as Battalion Chief. He was the only Columbus fireman to be shot on duty while still managing to turn the fire truck around saving others from injury. He was also employed by AFLAC in security for 13 years.
February 4th would be the 33rd anniversary to his beloved bride. He loved his girls and grandchildren and great grandchildren and all of his family with all of his heart. He loved the Lord and loved the Bible. He was a giver to everyone he met. He enjoyed playing chess and read every book about chess. He loved restoring Mustangs. He loved to play golf with his grandsons, his brother and friends. He loved birds and nature. He studied about Native Americans and knew more than most people forgot. He loved reading about the history of the Civil War. He wrote the book "A Hidden History" about pre-Civil War through 1992 about the Columbus Fire Department. He loved photography. He loved to cook for his family and his fellow fire fighters. He made peanut brittle and made the best barbeque sauce this side of town.
He is preceded in death by his father, Jessie Petty, his mother, Mattie Brogdon, his step-father, Walt Brogdon, his brothers, Aubrey Petty, Jesse Petty and Richard Petty, and his daughter, Missy Smith and his grandson, Colby Hooper.
Frank was survived by his wife, Sue Petty and his sister, Peggy Kendall of Oquawka, IL. He was also survived by his daughters, Sandra Petty Rodriguez (Ruperto) of Phenix City, Pamela Petty Barfield of Fortson, GA, Angela Petty Hooper of Fortson, GA and Amanda Collier (Andrew) of Cataula, GA, his grandchildren, David Barfield (Danielle) of Columbus, GA, Daniel Phillips (Samantha) of Phenix City, AL, Patricia Barfield of Fortson, GA, Trenton Barfield (Caitlyn) of Fortson, GA, Katelynn Rammage (Kenneth) of Smiths, AL, Austin Hooper of Fortson, GA and Carson Collier of Fortson, GA, 6 great grandchildren, and a host of nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Easter Seals 2515 Double Churches Rd. Columbus, GA 31909, the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org, Columbus Fire fighter Association Heritage Fund P.O. Box 152 Columbus, GA 31901 or bring a single rose.
3874 Gentian Blvd.
Columbus, GA, 31907
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907 with Pastor Jonathan McNeese officiating. Active and Retired fire fighters from the Columbus Fire and EMS will serve as Pallbearers. Interment with full firefighter honors will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.
Frank was born May 24, 1943 in Nashville, TN to Jessie and Mattie Petty. He was a beloved father, son, brother, uncle and especially a PawPaw. He attended Greater Life Baptist Church. He graduated from Jordan Vocational High School in 1961. Frank began working at the age of 8 for Mr. J. C. Carver, worked for Windhams Pharmacy, A&P grocery store, Kroger, Big Star and Food Giant stores. He joined the Columbus Fire Department in 1963 at the age of 19 and served for 33 years, retiring as Battalion Chief. He was the only Columbus fireman to be shot on duty while still managing to turn the fire truck around saving others from injury. He was also employed by AFLAC in security for 13 years.
February 4th would be the 33rd anniversary to his beloved bride. He loved his girls and grandchildren and great grandchildren and all of his family with all of his heart. He loved the Lord and loved the Bible. He was a giver to everyone he met. He enjoyed playing chess and read every book about chess. He loved restoring Mustangs. He loved to play golf with his grandsons, his brother and friends. He loved birds and nature. He studied about Native Americans and knew more than most people forgot. He loved reading about the history of the Civil War. He wrote the book "A Hidden History" about pre-Civil War through 1992 about the Columbus Fire Department. He loved photography. He loved to cook for his family and his fellow fire fighters. He made peanut brittle and made the best barbeque sauce this side of town.
He is preceded in death by his father, Jessie Petty, his mother, Mattie Brogdon, his step-father, Walt Brogdon, his brothers, Aubrey Petty, Jesse Petty and Richard Petty, and his daughter, Missy Smith and his grandson, Colby Hooper.
Frank was survived by his wife, Sue Petty and his sister, Peggy Kendall of Oquawka, IL. He was also survived by his daughters, Sandra Petty Rodriguez (Ruperto) of Phenix City, Pamela Petty Barfield of Fortson, GA, Angela Petty Hooper of Fortson, GA and Amanda Collier (Andrew) of Cataula, GA, his grandchildren, David Barfield (Danielle) of Columbus, GA, Daniel Phillips (Samantha) of Phenix City, AL, Patricia Barfield of Fortson, GA, Trenton Barfield (Caitlyn) of Fortson, GA, Katelynn Rammage (Kenneth) of Smiths, AL, Austin Hooper of Fortson, GA and Carson Collier of Fortson, GA, 6 great grandchildren, and a host of nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Easter Seals 2515 Double Churches Rd. Columbus, GA 31909, the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org, Columbus Fire fighter Association Heritage Fund P.O. Box 152 Columbus, GA 31901 or bring a single rose.
Funeral Service
FEB 4. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)
McMullen Funeral Home Chapel3874 Gentian Blvd.
Columbus, GA, 31907
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