John Henderson Wilson Petty

John Henderson Wilson Petty, 74, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at his residence. Born March 5, 1951, in Jefferson County, KY, he was the son of the late Newel Heath Petty and Shirley Louise Wilson Petty.

John served in church ministry in North Carolina, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio, and Alabama as well as chaplaincy programs in North Carolina and Virginia; and received his PhD in Pastoral Counseling in 2002.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kimberly Anne Petty; sons, Jared Heath Petty (Angela) and Andrew Scott Petty; sisters Jackie Stalker, Jill Chandler (Bill), Terry Stewart (David), brother-in-law Brian Tharp wife (Christina), nieces and nephews, and Daisy, his beloved Shih Tzu.

He loved his Lord, his family, the companionship of his special pets, his church family, dear friends near and far, holidays, reading, guitar playing, anything to do with the Peanuts gang, and University of Alabama football (Roll Tide!). A special thank you to Pastor Mike Campbell, and those who prayed for, assisted, and supported him and his family during his time of illness.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 10, at 2 pm at the Royal Chapel Church of God, followed by a receiving of family and friends in the church’s Family Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/

Condolences may be sent to the Petty family at: www.drumfh-hickory.com

Drum Funeral Home in Hickory is honored to be serving the Petty family.