Carl James Pettay

Carl James Pettay, 82, died June 22, 2015 at the Kansas Medical Center in Andover. He was born on September 30, 1932 in Cherokee, Oklahoma, the son of Rufus R. and Ruth E. (Miller) Pettay. 

Carl attended school in Cherokee, Oklahoma. In 1955, he entered the United States Army, serving overseas in the Korean War. He was discharged in 1954 and returned to Dodge City. On April 28, he married Edith Alberding in Hutchinson. She survives. After their marriage, they lived in Dodge City and then moved to Hutchison. In 1975, they moved to Montezuma where Carl served as a deputy sheriff’s officer. He also served as a deputy in Tribune before moving to Sublette in 1976 to serve as the Undersheriff. In 1980, he was elected as the Haskell County Sheriff and served until 1984. Carl and Edith then moved to Fowler where he served in the sheriff’s department before retiring in 1997. Carl enjoyed camping, fishing, and his pets. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Carl is survived by his wife Edith Pettay of Fowler; two sons, Darrel Pettay and wife Marilyn of Peculiar, Missouri and Kevin Pettay of Delta, Colorado; one daughter, Carla Pettay of Dodge City; three brothers, Carol Pettay, Jackie Pettay, and Everett Pettay all of Hutchinson; one sister, Mary Lou Walden of Hutchinson; seven grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Robert Pettay; two brothers, Vern and James Pettay; and two sisters, Elgie Townsend and Hilda Arrington. 

Funeral service will be held at the Sublette Southern Baptist Church on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Joe Stephens presiding. Burial will follow at Haskell County Cemetery in Sublette. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Sublette on Friday, June 26, 2015 from noon to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Family of Carl Pettay in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.