Harold Archer Pettyjohn

Harold Archer Pettyjohn, son of the late Thomas W. and Okel Viola (Corbin) Pettyjohn, was born November 15, 1926, in Heppner, Oregon. He passed away September 4, 2020, at Mercy in Springfield, Missouri. He was 93 years, 9 months, and 20 days of age.

After Harold's graduation from East Side High School in Kansas City, Missouri, Harold enlisted in the United States Navy and trained in ship maintenance serving in the Pacific during World War II. After military service, he located in Mountain Grove, Missouri. On February 27, 1949, he married Beatrice Lorine Brumley of Mountain Grove.

Harold was a professional truck driver for over fifty years, hauling a variety of products. He worked for Ken Ballew Hatchery in Mansfield, Missouri, in the late 1960's, hauling laying chickens across the country for about twenty years. When the Hatchery went out of business, he purchased one of the trucks and leased it as owner/operator until retiring in the mid 1990's.
Harold and his wife were members of the First Christian Church in Mountain Grove and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the church in 1999.

His favorite pastime was building and flying radio controlled model airplanes. Over a thirty year period, he helped create a lot of interest in the activity. Harold was thought of as the local pro and would help others learn to fly. His friends would often ask him for help building models, which he enjoyed doing as much as he did flying them. He helped form an RC club that met and flew models at the Mountain Grove airport.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Beatrice Lorine Brumley, in 2011, three sisters, Anna Mae Bachmann of Cottage Grove, Oregon, Mary Lou Wormington of Eugene, Oregon, and Barbara Lee Pettjyohn of Kansas City, Missouri, three brothers, Ronald Pettyjohn of Jasper, Missouri, Donald Pettyjohn of Jasper, Missouri, and Thomas V. Pettyjohn of Kansas City, Missouri.

He is survived by one son, Jerry (Kay) Pettyjohn of Springfield, Missouri, one sister, Norma Jean (Floyed) Eaves of Lamar, Missouri, his aunt, Ruth Robinette of Redding, California, and many nieces, nephews and friends.