Growing up in a career military family, he attended multiple schools, graduating from high school in Augsburg, Germany. He then attended the University of Maryland, later completing his business degree at Athens State University in Alabama.
Shortly after joining the Army, he married his loving and devoted wife, “Bev,” of 55 years, in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 12, 1970. He served his country for 11 years in the Vietnam War and in multiple locations across the globe as a calibration technician, eventually settling in Huntsville, Alabama, before his retirement in 1981. He then began his next career with Teledyne Brown Engineering, followed by Lockheed Martin, as a systems safety engineer in missile defense and the aerospace industry. He retired in 2011.
Jim accepted Christ at the age of 14 while attending a church in Texas. He served the Lord in various ministry roles throughout his life, including as a deacon, in children’s ministry, as a youth leader, and as a Sunday school teacher.
He is preceded in death by his father, James C. Pettis; his mother, Bernice R. Pettis; and his sister, Barbara J. Pettis.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Parsons Pettis; his daughters, Jennifer Pettis Cobb (Donny) and Rachel Pettis Hendrix (Brad); his sister, Jane Manning (Ken); his brothers, David Pettis (Kandy) and Roy Pettis (Alicia); his sister, Molly Pettis Reid (Robert); and his four grandchildren, Emma, Ryland, Noah, and Addie Rose.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Madison Baptist Church, 840 Balch Road, with Pastor Mike Allison officiating. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 a.m.
A private burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 8.
Arrangements are by Legacy Chapel of Madison, Alabama.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, a memorial gift can be sent to Madison Baptist Church and designated to the Lighthouse Ministry.
The family of Jim wishes to extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the many who participated in his care over the years, especially the entire team at the Huntsville Hospital CHF Clinic, Dr. James Murphy, 3 Cardiology, and his sister-in-law Alicia, all of whom went above and beyond in his final days.
