Gary Cole Petty, of Tyler, TX, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on October 24, 1973, in Murfreesboro TN, he was the child of Vicki and Gary Lynn Petty. He attended Middle Tennessee Christian School, graduated from Riverdale High School then attended Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, and later, Texas Christian University (TCU). He was a camper and camp counselor at Camp Huawni in Timpson, TX, a member of First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, TN and.
Cole spent over 20 years working in the oil and gas industry as a landman working in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio and Wyoming. Outside of work, he loved hunting, fishing and traveling. He will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, never ending pursuit of the next adventure and his enjoyment of entertainment through storytelling, food and music.
He married Rebecca Petty in June 2009, and together they shared 16 plus years traveling together. He provided them with unforgettable deep sea fishing trips, a South African safari, mountain and beach get-a-ways.
Cole is survived by Rebecca Petty, Vicki Petty, Thomas Petty (brother), Marilynn Perryman (aunt), Fran and Mike Petty (uncle), Heather Daley and Jed Perryman (cousins). He was preceded in death by Gary Petty, June and Travis Petty (grandparents), Billie and Tom Perryman (grandparents) and King Perryman (uncle).
Visitation with the family will be at First United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 11:00 am until the time of memorial services beginning at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in memory of Cole be made to Hospice of East Texas, First United Methodist Church, or the Linebaugh Library, and an online guestbook is available for the Petty family at www.woodfinchapel.com.
