Harold Archer Pettyjohn, son of the late Thomas W. and Okel Viola (Corbin) Pettyjohn, was born Nov. 15, 1926, in Heppner, Ore. He passed away Sep. 4, 2020, at Mercy in Springfield. He was 93 years, 9 months and 20 days of age. After Harold’s graduation from East Side High School in Kansas City, Harold enlisted in the United States Navy and trained in ship maintenance serving in the Pacific during World War II. After military service, he located in Mountain Grove. On Feb. 27, 1949, he married Beatrice Lorine Brumley, of Mountain Grove. Harold was a professional truck driver for over 50 years, hauling a variety of products. He worked for Ken Ballew Hatchery in Mansfield in the late 1960s, hauling laying chickens across the country for about 20 years. When the Hatchery went out of business, he purchased one of the trucks and leased it as owner/operator until retiring in the mid 1990s. Harold and his wife were members of the First Christian Church in Mountain Grove and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the church in 1999. His favorite pastime was building and flying radio controlled model airplanes. Over a 30 year period, he helped create a lot of interest in the activity. Harold was thought of as the local pro and would help others learn to fly. His friends would often ask him for help building models, which he enjoyed doing as much as he did flying them. He helped form an RC club that met and flew models at the Mountain Grove airport.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beatrice Lorine Brumley in 2011; three sisters, Anna Mae Bachmann, of Cottage Grove, Ore.; Mary Lou Wormington, of Eugene, Ore.; and Barbara Lee Pettjyohn, of Kansas City; three brothers, Ronald Pettyjohn, of Jasper; Donald Pettyjohn, of Jasper; and Thomas V. Pettyjohn, of Kansas City. He is survived by one son, Jerry (Kay) Pettyjohn, of Springfield; one sister, Norma Jean (Floyed) Eaves, of Lamar; his aunt, Ruth Robinette, of Redding, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Memorial services for Harold Pettyjohn were held Friday, Sep. 11, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home with Justin DeVries officiating. Song selections were “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” and “I’ll Fly Away.” Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Cremation and services were under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
