John Norman Wright Petry

John W. Petry was born December 25, 1945 in Laredo, Texas to Josephine White Wright Petry and Hinton Booth “Boots” Wright. John was raised from age two by his stepfather, Herbert Charles “Herb” Petry. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jill Little Petry; his two daughters, Jana Gordon and Jodi Wood; his two sons-in-law, David Gordon and Michael Wood Jr.; his five grandchildren, Michael Wood III “3Wood”, Catherine Gordon, Payton Wood, William Gordon, and Henry Gordon; his brother, Hinton Booth Wright “Boots” Petry; and his many nieces and nephews.

John attended Carrizo Springs High School and graduated in 1964. He then graduated from Trinity University in 1967 and served in the U.S. Army, retiring as a 1st Lieutenant. He married Jill Little Petry on August 10, 1968.

John earned his law degree and returned to Carrizo Springs, TX in 1970 to join his father’s law practice, which became Petry & Petry Law and served clients in south Texas for 30 years. In 2000, John joined Langley & Banack, continuing his south Texas law practice until his retirement in January 2023.

John cared most about three things: his faith, his family, and the outdoors. He and Jill were deeply devoted to the community of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, where he was the Bishop’s Warden and Jill played the organ for many years. He was committed to serving his community and was very active in the Lions Club, where he was a district governor.

John was an avid golfer and was instrumental in developing the Carrizo Springs Golf Club. Every morning before work, John would go to the golf course and outline the work needing to be done. No matter where he and Jill traveled, there would always be a golf course on the itinerary. He was also a lifelong hunter. He grew up hunting with his stepfather, Herb Petry, and his grandfather, Ben “Daddy Ben” White, around south Texas and instilled his love of the land in his children, grandchildren, and friends.

More than anything, John was proud of his family. His two daughters, Jana and Jodi, were most important to him. He cared deeply for his girls, his wife, and his grandchildren. His hospitality was unmatched, and he loved having his friends and the friends of his children and grandchildren to the ranch to hunt, to drink wine, and to enjoy the outdoors.

John will be remembered as a dedicated Christian, father, grandfather, and role model to many in the Carrizo Springs community and beyond.

MEMORIAL SERVICESATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 202311:00 AMFIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH602 W. NOPAL, CARRIZO SPRINGS, TX 78834

The Right Reverend David Reed and Pastor Candice Parry, officiating. Memorial contributions may be given to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Carrizo Springs), PO BOX 919, Carrizo Springs, TX 78834.

Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen Ahl, William Cavender, Richard Dobie, Brady Kimble, Bill Martin, Chuck Oelkers, Gary Shappell, Armando Silva, Carter Speer and Don Urban.