Larry Wade Pettiette, 80, passed away on September 28, 2026. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Melba Pettiette; his brothers Jerry Meuth, Jack David Pettiette, and Charles Allen Pettiette; his father, Clarence “Buster” Meuth; and his mother, Maudine Pettiette.
He is survived by his sister, Rita Maddox, and her husband, Dennis; brothers- and sisters-in-law Al and Charlene Hedtke, Brenda and Leo Janysek, and Maureen Pettiette; his four children and their spouses, Stacey and Bob Vandrovec, Lora and Daniel Huerta, Wade and Tiffany Pettiette, and Jared and Jeanette Pettiette; his grandchildren Anthony Vandrovec, Loren and Lane Jackson, Kade Pettiette, Benjamin Huerta, Kody Pettiette, and Isaac Huerta; and his great-grandchildren Kaine Jackson and Emory Jackson.
He is also survived by nieces and nephews Kevan and Amanda Hedtke, Kimberly Hedtke, David Tyson Homeyer, Caleb and Alecia Janysek, Luke and Amanda Pettiette, and Benjamin and Ashley Pettiette; great-nieces Lily Kate and Lola Pettiette and Sawyer Janysek; and great-nephews Matthew, Nathan, Charles, and Brooks Pettiette.
Larry was raised in South Texas and spent much of his youth in Corpus Christi and Beeville. He lost his father when he was only nine and took on the role of big brother, helping care for Charles and Rita while their mother worked to support the family. Rita remembers him as a loving brother who helped raise them.
He joined the U.S. Army at 17 and completed his high school education while stationed in Germany, serving with the Army Engineers. After leaving the Army, Larry met Melba. They fell in love, married, and raised four children in a home filled with love.
Larry spent most of his working life in oil and gas exploration. After retiring from that profession, he worked for many years at DP Solutions in Lufkin alongside his daughter Lora. In June 2019, Larry and Melba celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends.
In later years he lived with Stacey and Bob in Huxley, where he loved country life—sitting on the back porch visiting, watching the dogs play, the horses roam, and the eagles fly overhead.
Pallbearers will be Bob Vandrovec, Daniel Huerta, Wade Pettiette, Jared Pettiette, Kevan Hedtke, and Benjamin Pettiette.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Huxley Helping Hands, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville, TX 75973, the food pantry Stacey has long supported in her community.
