Richard Pettis

Richard (Rick) W. Pettis, 65 of Sedalia, MO passed away Sunday, August 20th, 2017 at his home. He was born on December 3rd, 1951, in Sedalia, son of George T. Pettis and Priscilla D. (Loucks) Talbott, who preceded him in death.

On January 5th, 1980, in Kansas City, MO, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Mefford, who resides of the home. They were happily married for 37 years. He served his country honorably in the United States Navy from1968 until 1971.

Rick was a musician at heart and spent many years of his life playing guitar, keyboards, bass, and supplying vocals for several bands. Later in life, he was a member of the well known local band Sidewinder. It was with Sidewinder that he enjoyed playing at the Fairgrounds every Fourth of July and in many venues around Central Missouri. Rick worked several retail jobs throughout his career, as he enjoyed meeting people and helping others. He was an avid fan of The Kansas City Chiefs and The Kansas City Royals, and enjoyed attending games with his family. His proudest role in life was that of a loving grandfather, father, and husband. His family will cherish the memories they have of him and the love that he shared with them all.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Pettis, of Sedalia; two sons, Michael R. Pettis and his wife, Katie Pettis, and Brian W. Pettis and his wife, Amanda Pettis, all of Sedalia; a daughter, Heather Wilson and her husband, Josh Wilson, of Little Rock AFB in Arkansas; three half brothers, Jason Talbott of Owasso, OK, Donnie Hunt of Sedalia, and Dale Hunt of Warrensburg, MO; three sisters, Pamela Crum of St. Joseph, MO, Deborah Love of Arvada, Colorado, and a half-sister Vicki Purvis, of Sedalia. He had eight grandchildren - Ella Brown, Ryder Pettis, Liam Wilson, Piper Gerlach, Brody Gerlach, Scarlett Pettis, Lyla Wilson, and Olen Pettis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Tom Pettis of Sedalia; a half-brother, Steven Pettis; and a grandson, Michael Alan Bartlett Pettis; step parents, Raymond Talbott and Gail Poort-Pettis.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Rea Funeral Chapel in Sedalia with Pastor Dennis Harper officiating and his children presenting Eulogies.

Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery with full military honors conducted by Sedalia VFW Post 2591 and the Kansas City Navy Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at the chapel.

Rick’s grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center at the University of Missouri in Columbia and also Crossroads Hospice of Missouri for the outstanding care and compassion in Rick’s time of need