Al Petty

Al Petty, also known as Al Perry, went home on Memorial Day 2017. He was preceded in his journey home by his dad, Willie A. Petty; his mom, Ruthie J. Petty; his sisters, Letha Petty-Heil and Tiffany "Eva" Petty-Alford; his children, Cynthera Halo Petty-Taylor and Rayvyl Allen Petty. He is survived by his brother, Danny "Dan" Wayne Petty; and his sons, Al Petty and Daniel "Dan" (Jo Ann) Petty.

Using Al's words, "I was born in a shack in Overton, Texas, in the middle of the Depression." He spent most of his childhood living in a home his daddy built at 407 East Cedar Street, north of the Tyler square.

A musical child prodigy, Al had his own radio show on KGKB radio at the age of 11 in 1944. Those who knew him well frequently heard him say, "The steel guitar is my life, and that's the way it's always been." Al went on to have a full life in the music industry at the national and international level, with a focus on country and gospel music.

A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Jerry Phelps, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Tyler Metro Church, 14196 Texas Highway 110 South, Whitehouse, Texas.