Eddie LaVelle Petross

1928 - 2022

Eddie LaVelle Petross
August 28, 1928 - June 30, 2022
Prosser, Washington - Eddie LaVelle Petross, a loving husband and father of four boys, passed away peacefully on June 30th, 2022, at the age of 93. He was born in the thriving metropolis of Claunch, New Mexico (current population â€" seven) on August 28th, 1928. He was the second of three children for Charlie Jefferson and Lois Carmen Petross.
Eddie spent most of his formative years being raised on a farm in the Claunch area and helping run his father's general store. In his teens, he was responsible for raising pinto beans on 600 acres and raising cattle and sheep. He met his future wife, Eunice Ulesta Couch, while they were still in grade school. They were married for over 72.5 years and were rarely apart.
Eddie received his introduction to the outside world after joining the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He served as an aircraft electrician on the B-36 Peacemaker at Carswell Air Force Base until his discharge in 1954. Soon after, the family moved to Las Cruces, NM, so Eddie could finish his degree in vocational agriculture at New Mexico State University. He briefly worked in the civil service at White Sands missile range in New Mexico but changed his vocation to teaching. The family eventually moved to Kennewick in 1967, and Eddie became an educator in the Kennewick School system. Finally, he changed careers again to become a full-time real estate broker in 1974. He spent over 40 years in real estate before retiring at age 85.
Both Eddie and Eunice were lifelong members of the Church of Christ and ultimately united with the Kennewick Church of Christ. Many lifelong friends were made in the Tri-City area. Eddie always enjoyed talking about his life stories and especially his time growing up in Claunch. His tales seemed to grow taller over time, with Eunice saying he was getting to be known for some big whoppers!
Eddie leaves behind his wife Eunice, sons Donnie (Sharon), Larry (Sue), Carl and Bobby (Nancy), five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He is survived by his brother Charles Neal (Corinne) and was preceded in death by his sister Mary Lee (Alton Talley) and both parents.
A memorial will be held at 11 am on July 23rd, 2022, at the Kennewick Church of Christ, 3926 Kennewick Ave., Kennewick, WA. Eddie's final resting place will be in the veteran's section of Desert Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Mountain States Children's Home located in Longmont, CO.
The family invites you to sign their online guest book at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.