Neal Hershel Petty

Neal Hershel Petty, a long-time resident of Modesto, California passed away amongst his devoted family on June 7, 2025. This last November, Neal moved with his daughter and son-in-law to Aliso Viejo in Southern California. They wanted to be near family and Neal passed away peacefully there at the age of 85.

Neal was born on April 4,1940 in Tulare, California to Fred Hershel and Nora Pauline Petty. In 1958, he graduated from Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia, California. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1961. Shortly after his return from the service, Neal married the love of his life, Helen Almeda Hooley, in October of 1961. They moved to Modesto, California and started a family having a daughter, LaDonna Kay, the very next year. Neal would go on to work at Market Wholesale/United Grocers first as an order picker, then truck driver, and lastly as a receiver. After 32 years working in the private sector, he retired to focus on his ministry and to become a full time pastor.

Neal is survived by his daughter LaDonna Kay Martinez, sister Alice Osborne of Wickliffe, Kentucky, son-in-law Ed Martinez who he called his son, grandson Alexander Martinez with his wife Jessica, and two great grandchildren, Ryder and Olivia. He also has two sister in-laws and several nieces and nephews. Neal is Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Helen Almeda Petty, and his precious sister Joan Layman of Visalia, California.

Neal was a true man of God who always put the Lord and his family first. He became an ordained minister in 1972 and spread “The Word of God” until the time of his death. Neal had a special gift of prophecy in which he used by praying for people while ministering. He and his wife traveled to minister for a time and focused on teaching scripture as their vocation. Later in life, Neal was the senior pastor for Bethel Tabernacle in Ceres, California until November of 2024. He considered his congregation his family and kept in contact with them until days before his death.

One of his greatest passions was his love of the guitar. He taught himself to play by-ear in his teens and later would play his guitar at church services. He wanted to expand his skills and began taking lessons up until he was 84 years old.

In Neal’s younger years, he enjoyed and excelled at wood-working. He took up jogging with his son-in-law Ed and sister Joan. He deeply loved and was proud of his daughter LaDonna’s accomplishments. Neal adored his grandson Alex and enjoyed watching him play sports throughout the years. He loved going to the gun range, was a proud member of the NRA and even obtained his carry concealed weapon (CCW) permit at the age of 81. He shared a love for films with his nephew Jon Ceballos. They frequently would go to the cinema and watch movies together in State of the Art Reclining Seats. Neal was a very patient man was preferred to teach many young family members to drive, including his daughter and niece Nicole Ceballos.

Moving to Southern California afforded Neal quality time to grow closer to his great grandchildren and make lasting memories for them. They lovingly called him GG. He enjoyed watching Ryder’s baseball games and looked forward to Olivia coming home from preschool to hang out. She would take over his iPad to shop on Amazon, and play games, and he loved it! The three of them loved to play UNO after school. Neal’s warm smile and playful wink as he called them “card sharks” will be fondly remembered.

Neal was most known for his kindness, humility and deep love for God. He enjoyed sharing his faith with everyone he met. He was the spiritual father and rock of his family. Neal has left a tremendous void in our hearts and although we are saddened, we know he is at peace with the Lord in Heaven. We look forward to someday seeing him again.

Funeral services will be held on Friday June 27, 2025 at 10:00 am followed by a graveside service and reception to follow, all at Lakewood Memorial Park located at 900 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson, California 95326. Visitation is at 9:00 am preceding the services.