Burle Pettit

Emory "Burle" Pettit was born July 26, 1934 in Moran, TX to John Pettit and Hazel Pettit. On May 29, 1957, he was married to Clara Frances Hill and passed away exactly 65 years later on their wedding anniversary. Burle received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Texas. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1956. Burle Pettit, whose eloquent writing and effective leadership entertained Lubbock Avalanche-Journal readers and influenced its journalists for more than five decades, died early Sunday. He was 87.
Pettit joined the newspaper as a sports writer in 1960 and steadily climbed the newsroom's organizational ladder, holding positions of sports editor, managing editor and culminating in his being appointed executive editor Jan. 1, 1995. He retired from that position five years later. Following retirement, he was named the paper's editor emeritus with his name appearing on the A-J opinion page masthead. He also continued to write a highly popular column, occasionally turning the writing duties over to his pet dog, Schnopper. During his storied career, Burle was recognized with state and national journalism honors.
In 2019, a collection of Pettit's Avalanche-Journal columns was published in the book: "A Boyhood Dream Realized: Half a Century of Texas Culture, One Newspaper Column at a Time." That same year, he was recognized by the Lubbock chapter of the Association for Women in Communications with the Mary Ann Edwards Outstanding Professional Communicator award.
Burle is survived by sons Kevin of Canyon Lake, Kyle of Lubbock and daughter-in-law Norma, Scott of Fair Oaks Ranch and daughter-in-law Michelle Pettit; six grandchildren Gary, Kasey, Morgan (Hammond), Christopher, Kendall, and Hayden; six great-grandchildren (Moija, Hanna Beth, Addi, Zoe, Harper, and Hudson).
Preceded in death by Clara Frances Pettit on June 8, 2017 and by his parents, John Pettit and Hazel Pettit, and siblings Jack, John L, Doris, Cleo, and Bobbie.
The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 PM, Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Sanders Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, June 3, 2022 at First Christian Church, presided by Dr. Michael Passmore; and a special graveside serve will be held at 2:30 PM, June 3, 2022 the Newman cemetery near the Sylvester community in southern Fisher County.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Carillon Foundation or First Christian Church.