Obituaries: Earl Petty
Gainesville Sun - December 12, 1999

Earl Petty of Gainesville died Friday at his home. He was 75.

Mr. Petty, the father of rock star Tom Petty, was a retired insurance salesman for National Standard Life Insurance Co. in Gainesville. He formerly owned Petty's Wholesale Dry Goods Co.

Born in Argyle, Ga., he moved from Argyle to Gainesville 69 years ago. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.

He was a deacon and a Sunday school teacher at North Central Baptist Church.

Mr. Petty enjoyed fishing, and after retirement, he volunteered at "The Tackle Box," a fishing store in Gainesville.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine "Kitty" Petty.

Survivors include two songs, Bruce Petty of Tallahassee and Tom Petty of California; a sister, Pearl Guynn of Ocala; two brothers, Wesley Petty and Buck Petty, both of Old Town; and four grandchildren.