Obituary for Samuel David Pettus
Samuel David Pettus, devoted family man, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020, peacefully at home in his sleep, at the age of 79. To his family and friends, he was known as Dave or David. He was born in Gonzales, Texas on December 19, 1940 to Lucy Lee Wilson Pettus (Mama Salle) and Samuel Cobb Pettus (Daddy Sam).
David attended school in Gonzales, where he played football and was a member of the Letterman Club and Freshman Club. David graduated on May 29, 1959. He married Karon Sue Otto on February 14, 1964 in Luling, Texas. During his younger years, up until he moved to Luling, David was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Gonzales.
David went to work from 1959 -1964 for Scheske Wholesale Groceries in Gonzales as a route salesman. He maintained a sales route that included 12 towns, all surrounding the Gonzales area. David then went to work at Luling Machine and Iron Works in 1964, where he worked as a welder/mechanic. He did this for over 30 years, up until their doors closed in 1995. He went straight to work for Gary Job Corps Services in San Marcos as a Water Maintenance Specialist. He stayed there until he decided to retire due to his health, and to take care of his loving wife Sue, with her medical needs.
David spent his time being outdoors, hunting and fishing. One of his highlights of the year was to visit the “hunting camp”, where he would spend time hanging with the guys and hunting.
David and Sue had two biological children, but helped raise many more. It was nothing for him to wake up on a Saturday morning to find 10 or more kids sleeping on his living room floor. He would always joke that he had to tiptoe though the children.
David is survived by his daughters, Nikki Rodriguez of Luling, Kelly and Preston Hoff of Luling, granddaughter, Stephanie Schweers of Prescott Valley, Arizona, great-grandchildren, Landon David Thomas, Sean Thomas, and the newest addition Maizey Louis Bishop, all of Arizona, sisters, Patricia Caraway of Nixon, Virginia Katherine Tidwell of Gonzales, brother, Harry Lee Pettus of Nixon, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and honorary family members, James and Dorothy Tipton, one of the many that he had the honor to help raise.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sue Pettus, brother, William (Buck) Henry Pettus, and younger sister, Laura Lee Pettus Neighbors.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 2:00 PM in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, with Rev. Ray Davis officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the: First Baptist Church of Gonzales, 422 Saint Paul Street Gonzales, Texas 78629.
Pallbearer: Preston Hoff. Honorary pallbearers include: James Mace, Sr., James Mace, Jr., James Tipton, Harry Pettus, John David Caraway, Kris Caraway, Brian Bullard, William Bryce Tidwell, Mark Steven Tidwell, Todd Jeffery Tidwell, Johnny Ray Tidwell, William Henry Pettus, Jr., William Stricker, Michael Darren Neighbors, Matthew Daniel Neighbors, Marshall Daylan Neighbors, Macklan DeWitt Neighbors, and Maxwell Denton Neighbors.
Due to current CDC, State and local mandates, protective measures regarding social distancing, limited attendance capacity, and use of personal protective masks will be required for the memorial service. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, 906 St. Paul Street Gonzales, Texas 78629.
David attended school in Gonzales, where he played football and was a member of the Letterman Club and Freshman Club. David graduated on May 29, 1959. He married Karon Sue Otto on February 14, 1964 in Luling, Texas. During his younger years, up until he moved to Luling, David was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Gonzales.
David went to work from 1959 -1964 for Scheske Wholesale Groceries in Gonzales as a route salesman. He maintained a sales route that included 12 towns, all surrounding the Gonzales area. David then went to work at Luling Machine and Iron Works in 1964, where he worked as a welder/mechanic. He did this for over 30 years, up until their doors closed in 1995. He went straight to work for Gary Job Corps Services in San Marcos as a Water Maintenance Specialist. He stayed there until he decided to retire due to his health, and to take care of his loving wife Sue, with her medical needs.
David spent his time being outdoors, hunting and fishing. One of his highlights of the year was to visit the “hunting camp”, where he would spend time hanging with the guys and hunting.
David and Sue had two biological children, but helped raise many more. It was nothing for him to wake up on a Saturday morning to find 10 or more kids sleeping on his living room floor. He would always joke that he had to tiptoe though the children.
David is survived by his daughters, Nikki Rodriguez of Luling, Kelly and Preston Hoff of Luling, granddaughter, Stephanie Schweers of Prescott Valley, Arizona, great-grandchildren, Landon David Thomas, Sean Thomas, and the newest addition Maizey Louis Bishop, all of Arizona, sisters, Patricia Caraway of Nixon, Virginia Katherine Tidwell of Gonzales, brother, Harry Lee Pettus of Nixon, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and honorary family members, James and Dorothy Tipton, one of the many that he had the honor to help raise.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sue Pettus, brother, William (Buck) Henry Pettus, and younger sister, Laura Lee Pettus Neighbors.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 2:00 PM in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, with Rev. Ray Davis officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the: First Baptist Church of Gonzales, 422 Saint Paul Street Gonzales, Texas 78629.
Pallbearer: Preston Hoff. Honorary pallbearers include: James Mace, Sr., James Mace, Jr., James Tipton, Harry Pettus, John David Caraway, Kris Caraway, Brian Bullard, William Bryce Tidwell, Mark Steven Tidwell, Todd Jeffery Tidwell, Johnny Ray Tidwell, William Henry Pettus, Jr., William Stricker, Michael Darren Neighbors, Matthew Daniel Neighbors, Marshall Daylan Neighbors, Macklan DeWitt Neighbors, and Maxwell Denton Neighbors.
Due to current CDC, State and local mandates, protective measures regarding social distancing, limited attendance capacity, and use of personal protective masks will be required for the memorial service. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, 906 St. Paul Street Gonzales, Texas 78629.