Ronald Leon Petty

Ronald Leon Petty, 81, of Bellevue, Michigan died at Tacoma General Hospital while visiting family in Graham, Washington on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

Ron was born February 12, 1943, in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Donald and Sylvia “June” (Hurley) Petty. He grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1961 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Ron honorably served his country with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. After 30 years, Ron retired from the computer room at the Kellogg Company. 

Ronald Leon Petty was united in marriage to Sondra Lee Madry on August 20, 1966, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bellevue, Michigan. Surviving are his wife, Sondra; six children, Joyce Wesner of Augusta, MI, Jerry (Krista) Petty-Hammond of Battle Creek, Cathy Pierce of Jackson, MI, Chad Petty of Grand Rapids, Ty Petty of Dallas, TX, Keith (Lindsey) Petty of Graham, WA; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Rev. Eric Petty of New Port, Pennsylvania, Vernon (Julie) Petty of Akron, OH; a sister, Charlotte (John) Bell of Davison, MI; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Walter Petty.

Ron was a member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club, American Legion Post #280 in Bellevue and the Corvette Club. Ron was a former commander of both the Bellevue Post and the Eaton County American Legion Post. He loved to exercise, working-out and running. Ron ran in ten Boston Marathons. He enjoyed being in the woods cutting firewood. He was an avid fan of local sports, Bellevue High School sports, especially track, cross-country and wrestling. He was dedicated to his community through volunteer work, kindness, hard work and help organizing the annual Memorial Day Parade. He was a member of the Bellevue Academic Booster Club and enjoyed conversations about physics, math, science, and numbers. Ron could recite Pi to the 32 digit, which is a Zero. His favorite pastimes included chocolate ice cream, driving and secretly eating “road vitamins” aka “M & M’s peanut chocolate”. Ron will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to family and community, his strong principles and belief in freedom, his love of Rock & Roll and for his inspiration and support to all.

Friends will be received 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where a service to celebrate Ron’s life will be held 12:30 p.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024. The service will be Livestreamed and may be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/event/4580727 . Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Committal and interment will follow at the cemetery. 

Personal messages for Ron’s family or personal remembrances of Ron may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.