John Gerard Pettit

PETTIT, John Gerard. Mr. Pettit passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2008. Mr. Pettit was born on a Sunday morning, November 8, 1931, in San Antonio, Texas to Mr. Henry Edward Pettit and Mrs. Bronislaus Bessie Scholtysik Pettit.

His paternal grandparents were Mr. Joseph Pettit and Mrs. Rhonda Stevens Pettit of Nebraska.

On his father's side of the family, he was a descendent of John Pettit of New Jersey, a delegate to the First Continental Congress and whose son, Charles, married the daughter of Thomas McKean, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and later governor of Pennsylvania.

His maternal grandparents were Mr. Paul Scholtysik and Mrs. Mary Ann Pollok Scholtysik of Carpenter, Texas.

Mr. Pettit attended St. Gerard's Elementary School. On Mr. Pettit's nineteenth birthday, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

He participated in action against enemy forces in South and North Korea with Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, FMF from April 1951 to March 1952.

He participated in three major campaigns, and was at the Hwachon Reservoir, Bloody Ridge, and the Punchbowl.

Upon his discharge from the Corps, Mr. Pettit enrolled in St. Mary's University and was graduated in August 1956, with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Mr. Pettit was a graduate of Allied Joske's Store Junior Executive Training Program and the Senior Executive Training Program.

In 1963, he completed the Master of Arts course of study at St. Mary's University and was awarded the Master of Arts degree. Subsequently, he taught at Lackland AFB's Language School.

For many years, Mr. Pettit taught in the San Antonio Independent School District and at his retirement was the Chairman of the English Department of Louis W. Fox Academic & Technical High School.

Also, for many years, Mr. Pettit was a member of the Board of Directors of the San Antonio Teachers' Benefit Association as well as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and later Secretary-Treasurer of the Association.

Mr. Pettit was a member of TRTA, SAARTA, TREDDA, the now defunct San Antonio Schools Archives Association, the American Legion, and the Oak Hills Country Club.

Mr. Pettit is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rose Marie Claude Pettit, and his sons: Jonathan C. Pettit, Charles J. Pettit, Christopher J. Pettit and daughter-in-law, Mariza Boone Pettit; grandchildren: Lindsay L. Pettit and Timothy R. Pettit. He was preceded in death by his son, Martin C. Pettit.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 4th from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Porter Loring on McCullough with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. in the Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to: Sisters Care at the Village, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209.