Bobby Louis Petty

Bobby Louis Petty, born June 30, 1939 in Dallas, TX,passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 1 in Dallas following a courageous 3-year battle with cancer. Bob was a committed & loving Husband, Dad, Pop & Friend - married to the love of his life for over 56 years. Together, Bobby and his wife Norma shared a passion for travel. One that he passed along to his 6 grandchildren by taking them on dozens of trips across the United States, always wearing his signature ball cap on his head, in the driver's seat of his RV. Bobby's love for the road wasn't by happenstance, he was "king of the road" as a truck driver for Yellow Freight before eventually retiring after 30 years of employment. Following retirement, Bobby took up a healthy reading habit (reading multiple books per week) and walked 2 miles day on his favorite trail. Everyone that knew him, and his children in particular, experienced his giving and selfless ways. Always offering up support and help,expecting nothing in return. Bobby was a devoted friend and had standing weekly breakfasts and lunches with his fellow retiree buddies and close friends from his church. No doubt always offering a listening ear or telling one of his famous stories that always resulted in big smiles and infectious laughter. In his spare time - there was baseball. Bobby had an everlasting love for the Texas Rangers. He spent thousands of hours of his life cheering them on at the ballpark (even once catching a foul ball!) or in his chair in the living room; staying tuned-in no matter how promising or disheartening the game or season panned out to be. He was a true fan and the Rangers were one of his favorite conversation topics. Becoming "Pop" at a particularly young age allowed Bobby the luxury of having many quality years with his 3 great grandchildren. He enjoyed loving on them and he had a special way of making them smile with his playful spirit. Bobby is survived by his loving wife Norma; sisters, Belva Gilreath and Sister Petty; brother Jerry Petty; daughter, Pam and Mark; daughter, Donna and Johnny; son Bobby and Gilbert; grandsons, Brent and Audrey; Zachary and Michele; granddaughters, Jenna and Thomas; Shae; Hailee; Brenna and great grandchildren, Presleigh, Barrett, Madeline Grace; and brother-in-law, Jack (Dody) Benedict and a countless number of friends, nieces,nephews and in-laws. He was preceded in death by parents, Inez and Marvin Petty and brothers, Buddy, Bruz and Bit Petty. Bobby's smile and caring ways will be greatly missed by all each and every day. A visitation will be held at New Hope Funeral Home, 500 U.S. Highway 80, Sunnyvale, TX 75182, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm on Friday, July 4. The service will be led by officiant Dr. Charles Wilson and Dyrle Phillips at First Baptist Church Sunnyvale, 3018 N. Belt Line Rd., Sunnyvale, TX 75182 at 2:00pm on Saturday, July 5. If desired, donations can be made in Bobby's honor to the First Baptist Sunnyvale Building Fund.