Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Richard Janius Pettit 1918 - 2011


Pettit, Richard and June 

June 23, 1918  ~  April 5, 2011
Richard Junius Pettit, born June 23, 1918, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Jesse Raymond and Phyllis Clayton Pettit, passed peacefully away in his St. George home Tuesday morning, April 5, at the age of 92. He married his eternal sweetheart, June Aileen Cannon, January 31, 1942, and was sealed to her in the Mesa, Arizona temple.


Dick, as he was known by friends and family, lived an exemplary life. He lived in Salt Lake City until 1931, when he moved to Los Angeles, California. He served a successful mission to the New England states and then enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942 to become a part of World War II. During that time, he flew B-24 bombers and survived harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war. These events shaped his life in making him the great man he became.

In his many church callings, one of his greatest blessings was being a youth advisor and bishop to the singles in his ward and stake callings in Glendale, California for over 20 years. He had a positive influence on many lives.

He is survived by his sweet wife, June Aileen; his sister, Phyllis Whitchurch, of Salt Lake City; his children Richard Junius Pettit (wife Hilda, deceased); Barbara Parady (husband, John); Cheryl Apgar; Robert Pettit (wife, Lori); and daughter-in-law Kelly Pettit (wife of Bryan Pettit, deceased).  His numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the joy of his life. Grandpa's tall tales will be fondly remembered by all.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 11:00 am, with a viewing from 9:30 - 10:30 am, at the Bloomington 6th Ward Chapel located at 3519 Manzanita, in St. George.  Interment will take place immediately following the service at the Tonaquint Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Missionary Fund



A choice and stalwart man, Bryan Lee Pettit, was called home to his Heavenly Father on August 19, 1998, while returning home from a family reunion in Southern Utah. He was 52 years old.
Bryan was born April 10, 1946 in Glendale, California, a son of Richard J. and June A. Pettit. He married Kelly Cloward on August 16, 1971 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Bryan excelled in his studies, and worked hard to obtain the highest degree available to him, a Doctorate in Education, which he received at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Bryan taught as a professor at both California State University at San Bernardino and the University of Phoenix. Through the years, he touched the lives of many of his students. He had a passion for teaching, and he loved the interaction he had with his students and with his work associates.A faithful and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bryan had an unshakable testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ. He served diligently in many callings in the church, but most recently as 2nd Counselor in the Riverside, California Stake Presidency. He was dearly loved and respected by people everywhere, and touched the lives of all that were privileged to have known him. He will be greatly missed.
Although Bryan lived and served well, and accomplished many great things in his life, his family was nearest and dearest to his heart and was his crowning joy. His example as a husband and a father was unmatched. He brought a sense of unity, joy, and faith into his home which is rare among families, and he created a tremendous and inspiring legacy to be followed by all. Generations forevermore will rise up and call him blessed.
Bryan is survived by his wife, Kelly Cloward Pettit, Riverside, CA. They are the parents of six children: a son, Bryan Lee Pettit Jr. and wife Dawn Whetten Pettit, Sandy, UT; a son, Douglas Cloward Pettit, Sandy, UT; a daughter, Lynsey Pettit Butler, wife of Bret Paul Butler, Provo, UT; a son, Thomas Cloward Pettit; a daughter Julie Pettit; and a son, Matthew Cloward Pettit, Riverside, CA. They are the grandparents of one grandson, Tyler Bryan Pettit, age one, Sandy, UT. He is also survived by his parents, Richard J. and June A. Pettit, St. George, UT; his father-in-law, Wells P. Cloward, Spanish Fork, UT; two brothers, Richard J. Pettit Jr. and Robert C. Pettit; two sisters, Barbara Pettit Parady and Cheryl Pettit Apgar; a brother-in-law, Sherman L. Cloward; and a sister-in-law, Connie Cloward Parsons.

Note: They were boating at Lake Powell. As they drove home the vehicle he was driving pulling the boat started to have mechanical problems. He sent Kelly and the kids home in the other car and he nursed the vehicle along. He stopped in Stateline (Primm) because it was late and got a room. There he had a heart attack and it took too long for the paramedics to get there from Las Vegas.
Pettit, Bryan Lee

Church News Nov 16, 1996:  RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA STAKE: (Oct. 20, 1996) President - G. Michael Grant, 50, attorney and partner with Best, Best & Krieger; succeeding Larry Bedhaine; wife, Christine Rae Berkey Grant. Counselors - Don R. Inskeep, 55, assistant district attorney; wife, Claudia Ruth Brown Inskeep. Bryan L. Pettit, 50, professor at California State University at San Bernardino; wife, Kelly Cloward Pettit.