Leon Reed Pettitt

Leon Reed Pettitt passed away on December 10, 2019. He was the son of Reed Hooper Pettitt (deceased) and Jesse Mae Derreberry Pettitt (deceased), and was preceded in death by siblings James A. Pettitt, John C. Pettitt and Phyllis Pettitt Williams Garland. Survived by wife Martha Joan Patty Pettitt, daughters Julie Mahan (Anthony) of Prosper, Laurie Gough (Richard) of Forsyth County, Georgia, granddaughters Lauren Pettitt (Leon Flores) of Garland, Heather Millett of Dallas, Krysten Millett Rowland (Matthew) of Celina, great granddaughters Allison Pettitt of South Bend, Indiana, Isabella and Emma Rowland of Celina, sisters-in-law Bess McBrayer, M. Patty Wooldridge, Freda Kempson and Linda Kidd (Don) as well as several nephews and nieces.

Leon attended University of Tennessee and graduated from Tusculum College. He served in the U.S. Air Force where he received education and training initiating a life-long career in the use and application of computers and computer science in the everyday business world. He was a member of the Georgia Tech Computer Club and built his first computer in the early 70’s predicting that one day there would be a computer in every home.

He was a member of Hunters Glen Baptist Church and Gideon’s International. He volunteered with Explorer Scouts in the 80’s and participated in Toastmasters for many years. Leon was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was married for 61 years. In his younger years he hiked extensively in the Smokies of East Tennessee and enjoyed being outside for long walks as he grew older. He was an enthusiastic football fan, preferring college football games and was a supporter of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

Leon believed the mission of Gideons International was important and the family requests that donations be made to this organization in lieu of flowers, www.gideons.org/donate or The Gideons International Processing Center P.O. Box 97251 Washington, DC 20090-7251.

Leon was laid to rest at The Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery, with honors. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Hunters Glen Baptist Church, 4001 Custer Rd., Plano, Texas 75023.

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crost the bar.