Wendell Petty

Wendell Mearl (Del) Petty, M.D. passed away peacefully after a life well lived on Sunday, January 23rd at HopeWest Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Del (Doc to his Iowa friends) was born in Newell, Iowa to Mearl W. and Mary E. Hunter Petty on December 4, 1931. He graduated from Newell High School and worked beside his family on their farm in his early years prior to operating his own farms. After a four-year stint in the Navy during the Korean conflict he earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University (1961) followed by a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Iowa in 1965. He practiced in Alden, Cherokee and Storm Lake, Iowa, as well as Vail, Colorado. After becoming Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology in 1982, Del was dedicated to his patients at the Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo and the Grand Junction V.A. Medical Center.

During the last 30 years Del shared his passion for horses by training, breeding and riding gaited horses and mules (Gait’n Junction). He was a member of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse, serving the MCSD and the Ag community. He will be fondly remembered by his family and friends for his adventurous spirit and caring nature.

Del is survived by his wife, Nancy, his sister LaVonne M. Petty (Doyle) Nissen of Newell, Iowa and his brother, Virgil M. Petty of Pekin, Illinois, plus several nieces, nephews and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Joyce Petty (Dale) Cone.

This spring Del will be honored for his service to our Country during the Korean conflict at the Veterans Cemetery of Western Colorado. The service date has not yet been determined.

A tribute wall is provided should you wish to share your remembrances: https://www.brownscremationservice.com/obituary/Wendell-Petty.

Nancy asks that in lieu of flowers, a contribution to the charity of your choice or to HopeWest - Grand Junction would be appreciated.