Gregory Eugene Petz
January 6, 1951 - February 16, 2026
Vernalis, California - Gregory Eugene Petz was born January 6, 1951 (the epiphany) in Modesto, CA. He passed onto heaven February 16, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.
Greg grew up in Vernalis. He attended Rising Sun School and graduated from Patterson High School in 1969. Then he went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Communications from Sacramento State. While there, he met Carol. They married at the end of their junior year sharing 53 years of a loving marriage. While in college, he spent two summers as a brakeman for the Southern Pacific Railroad, which sparked his lifelong love of trains.
After college, Greg and Carol came back to the family farm where Greg farmed apricots, tomatoes and dry beans with his father, Nolan. Greg built a rich life of community service and involvement. He was a member of Young Farmers and Ranchers, a Farm Bureau Director, a volunteer fireman with the Westley-El Solyo Fire Department, a school board member for Patterson Unified, as well as serving on the West Stanislaus Irrigation District board and West Stanislaus Growers Association. He was also on the Tomato Growers Association, Bean Growers Association and Dry Bean Advisory board.
Greg dearly loved his wife and 3 daughters. He loved attending the girls' volleyball games and other activities as they were growing up. He enjoyed taking them on family on vacations. Whether it was a road trip to San Francisco, the beach, Lake Tahoe, the desert, a ski vacation or a trip to Washington DC, Santa Fe or Hawaii, he felt it was important to experience the local culture and history. His dedication to his daughters helped them become strong independent women. He embraced his son-in-law's and took great pride in his grandchildren.
Greg loved music, went to many concerts and kept a list of each one he attended. The one that stood out to him the most was the Rolling Stones concert at Altamont Raceway. After his family had grown, he and Carol continued to enjoy their travels, including Spain and Italy. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra, and photography.
Greg is survived by his wife, Carol; daughters and their spouses, Melissa (Brian) Heiser, Heather (Michael) Escarcega, and Kimberly (Joe) Clara; his 6 grandchildren, Ava Escarcega, Warren Escarcega, Allison Heiser, Bradley Heiser, Joey Clara and Jack Clara, and sister, Gail Perez.
The family thanks Ali, Leisa, Sara, and Valerie who helped care for him during his illness, and the West Stanislaus Fire District.
The celebration of life will be at the Westley Firehouse on Sunday, March 15 at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Westley-El Solyo Fire Department, Vernalis 4-H or the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Services conducted by Hillview Funeral Chapel, Patterson.
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