Ralph Eric Pettit

Ralph Eric Pettit of Farmington, UT graduated this earthly life on September 19, 2023. He survived many things in his life including Polio, cancer, and heart disease before his final valiant battle with pneumonia.

Ralph was born on April 3, 1931, to Vera May and Eric Pettit in Salt Lake City, UT. He graduated from Davis High School.

After a year of spending countless hours at high school activities and graduation a friendship grew, and he married Mary Jane Edwards in 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their union was blessed with 8 children. They spent many years creating happy memories camping, boating, and enjoying the outdoors.

Ralph met Elaine Schwab while square dancing with the “swinging singles club”, they married in April 1979, they were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. With their marriage he gained 5 more kids to add to his clan and then they were blessed with 1 child to complete this large family.

Ralph was a man of many talents. He spent 34 years at Hill Air Force base as an aircraft mechanic and instructor. He served in the Naval reserves. Our Dad could fix anything and spent hours building his dream cabin, being in his garage tinkering and making wood gifts for his family. His peanut brittle was world class and he spent hours making it every year for Christmas. He loved to serve and help everyone he met. He had a story for every occasion and shared them often.

Ralph was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings diligently. His favorites were SLC Mutual for the handicap, scouting, and ward mission leader. He and Elaine served a mission in Nauvoo, IL where he got to use his skills by making bricks and leading teams of horses. He spent years serving in the Salt Lake, Nauvoo, and Bountiful temple.

In his last few weeks, he mentioned many times that his pride and joy are his children. He talked often of their accomplishments to anyone who would listen.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, and 12 children Mary Ann (James) Nelson, Judy (Glen) Loveland, Christine (Rex) Keeler, Ralph William Pettit, James Eric (Joan) Pettit, Jonathon Edwards (Shawna) Pettit, Vera Jane Wright, Richard (Vivian) Chew, Maggie (Dent) Kadleck, Bob (Debbie) Chew, Shawnette (Kevin) Page, Heather (Aaron) Lyman. His sister Bernice Potter Wilson, 38 grandchildren, 75 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Ralph was proceeded in death by his parents, former spouse Mary Jane Edwards, brother William Brewster Pettit, sister Phyllis Pettit Posell; son Richard Brewster Pettit, daughter Barbara Chew; grandchildren Summer Pettit and Jason Christopher Turgeon, and great grandchild Aaliyah Jay Vaetoe.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Lakeview Hospital and Aspire Home Health and Hospice for the hours of service they gave to our father in his last months on this earth.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 29, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Steed Creek Chapel 347 South 200 West, Farmington, UT. Viewings will be held at the chapel Thursday from 6:00-8:00 pm and Friday from 10:00-10:45 am.

Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 S Highland Dr., Millcreek, UT.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity or one of his, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints missionary or humanitarian fund.