Jim Petty

James R. Petty (you called him Jim if you knew what was good for ya) passed away at home in Naperville on August 20, 2022. He was in the company of those who loved him most, and we like to think he was listening to us reminiscing and telling stories about him as he peacefully went to sleep.

Jim was born on October 3, 1942, in the small town of Bridgeport, IL. His parents (Robert and Anne) raised him there with his little brother Joe. There was a significant age difference between the brothers. Still, they became great friends as adults, and Jim was so proud of his brother for his many accomplishments. Jim admitted to being a little jealous of Joe's mechanical skills, which Jim did not share.

He enlisted in the Army in the mid-60s, stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, leading to an honorable discharge. He then attended Vincennes University. Soon after he earned his degree, he moved up north to take a job with AT&T Bell Laboratories. He stayed there for 40 years, through 4 corporate name changes, and retired in 2008.

It was there at AT&T where he met his wife, Doreen, and they happily and lovingly annoyed each other ever since. She followed him into retirement soon after, and Jim was proud of Doreen's work in building her own coaching business.

A big Chicago sports fan, Jim loved to watch the Cubbies (winning or losing), da Bears, and once in a while, snuck in a Bulls or Hawks game. But golf was his true love. Playing it, watching it, reading about it, or talking about it …. Anything golf, he was in. He made many lifelong friends on the golf course.

We have wonderful memories of long Sunday drives, his southern drawl that became more pronounced when he was exasperated, and his many colorful sayings like "well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit.

His wife, brother, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews sure will miss him. Rest in peace, Jim. We love you.

Committal and Entombment with Military Honors will be held Friday August 26, 2022, 1:00 pm at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Instead of flowers, if you feel so inclined, please donate to a charity of your choice in Jim’s name. His favorite charities helped people and animals during and after environmental disasters.

Jim's family invites you to visit the Tribute Wall section of this memorial to leave a message or memory or to upload a photograph.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jim Petty, please visit our floral store.