JOE F. PETTIT, 19, DROWNED SUNDAY, JULY 13TH IN THE RAFTER J. TANK
Funeral services for Joe Pettit, 19, who drowned in a tank on the Rafter J Ranch Sunday afternoon, were held at the First Christian Church at 3:30 p.m. Monday. Rev. R.C. Brown officiated. Interment was in the Spur Cemetery under the direction of Curry Funeral Home.Pettit and a friend, Sam Graves, were swimming in the tank Sunday afternoon and Pettit was drowned about 4:45. Graves summoned help after he had almost drowned himself trying to rescue his friend.
Swimmers who aided in recovering the body were Bill Laine, Jeff Smart, Billy Ray Barrett, J.T. Franklin, Joe Costolow, Billy Scott and Mack Nazworthy. Laine found the body and aided by Barrett, brought it to the surface. Dr. L.E. Standifer worked more than an hour attempting to revive Pettit.
Pallbearers were Sam Graves, Doty Graves, Ed Franklin, Gerald Patton, Corbett Roberson and Bill Chambless.
Flower bearers were: Doris Ann Chambless, Betty Lynn Brown, Gena Byrd, Bydean Roberson, Eura Fawver, and Winifred Lee.
Survivors are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Pettit, and a sister, Gladys Pettit.
Joe Franklin Pettit was born in Dickens County, October 22, 1921. He was a graduate of the Spur High school with the class of 1940.
He had lived with his parents in their present home just north of the Rafter J Ranch the past eight years and upon numerous occasions had been employed by the Rafter J which is owned by Dr. Clifford Jones.
©The Texas Spur, July 17, 1941
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
This site may be freely linked to but not duplicated in any fashion without consent. |
