Thomas Pettus

Tom Pettus, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Larimore Good Samaritan Center were he had made his home for the past year and a half. Tom, son of Archibald (Archie) and Ila (Wilson), was born on January 3, 1923 in Lowell, Arizona. He enlisted in the Army where he served in Pearl Harbor and Spokane, Washington during WWII. While in Spokane, he met and married Inez Hamre of Northwood, North Dakota. After completing his service in the Army, Tom and Inez moved to Silver City, New Mexico where he received his bachelor's degree and two master's degrees from New Mexico Western University. They lived in Bakersfield, California, where Tom worked as an industrial arts educator for his entire career. He was the Department Head at two high schools, set up the industrial arts programs for several new high schools and served as head of the Kern County Industrial Arts Department. After retirement Tom and Inez moved to Pinetop, Arizona. Tom was active in the Elks, Sons of Norway, Pinetop/Lakeside Planning and Zoning Commission, Senior Studs, and the highlight of his retirement was designing, and contracting the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pinetop. Tom also utilized his building skills when he volunteered to help after the 1997 Grand Forks flood. Tom and Inez moved to the Far Horizons East Retirement Community in Tucson, Arizona where they enjoyed spending time with many good friends. They lived there until Inez's passing in 2008. Tom then moved to the Good Samaritan Center in Larimore. Tom loved his caregivers and often spoke of the kindness they gave him. Tom is survived by: Daughter: Susan (Marvin) Larson - Gilby, ND Son: Bob Pettus - Mesa, AZ Grandchildren: Michelle (John) Korsmo, Alicia (Erik) Sonju and Mary (Hobie) Troxell. Great Grandchildren: Matilda and Mary Alicia Korsmo, Annie Sonju, and Anna Troxell Brother, Gerald and Sister-in-law Vivian Hamre & niece Laurie Hamre Proceed in death by his wife, Inez in 2008, Brother Alan, Sister-in-law Bonnie Pettus, and Brothers-in-law Edward and Roger Hamre