John Allen Pettit, age 77, of Vanceburg, Kentucky, passed away Monday, March 30, 2026, at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.
He was born November 9, 1948, in Mason County, Kentucky, a son of the late Walter Howard and Lula Mae McGill Pettit.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Howard Martin Pettit.
John proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a veteran of Vietnam War. He was a member of Tollesboro Christian Church and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, watching tv and spending time with his grandchildren.
John is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Gayle Helphinstine Pettit; one son, John Jeremy (Penny) Pettit of Vanceburg, Kentucky; one daughter, Melissa Dawn (Scott) Tucker of Madison, Indiana; five grandchildren, Brooke Tucker, Zach Pettit, Bethany Tucker, Summer Pettit and Hunter Pettit; one sister, Betty (Curtis L.) Gochenour, along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss him.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, April 3, 2026, at Tollesboro Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 11918 KY 57, Tollesboro, Kentucky, with Brother Phil Cropper officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Lewis County.
Friends may visit after 11:30 a.m., Friday, April 3, 2026, until the service hour at Tollesboro Funeral Home.
Military Honors will be conducted at the graveside by American Legion Post 138.
Ricky Corns, Phillip Winchell, Shaun Scott, Lester Beair, Jonathon Spencer, Dobo Patton, David Spencer and Daniel Spencer will serve as pallbearers.
Ed Helphinstine, Scott Tucker, Luther Gochenour will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Tollesboro Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John Allen Pettit.