FINDLAY, Ohio—Richard “Dick” N. Pettitt, a pastor, went home to be with his Lord on Aug. 15. He was 90.
Dick was saved at the age of 12 under the ministry of evangelist Percy Crawford. Following graduation from high school, Dick received a contract to play professional baseball for the Chicago White Sox farm team but chose instead to enter the ministry.
He attended Baptist Bible College, Johnson City, N.Y., and National Bible Institute in Manhattan, graduating in 1945. He also received a BRE from Shelton College in New York City. He became pastor of Eaton Baptist Church, Eatonville, Pa.; Fairview Baptist Church, Elizabethton, Tenn.; First Baptist Church, Florence, N.J.; Valley Baptist Church, River Vale, N.J.; and First Baptist Church, Findlay, Ohio, where he was active in the Mid-Bethel Pastors’ Fellowship. In retirement, he served as interim pastor at Portage (Ohio) Mt. Zion Church and North Mt. Zion Church, Continental, Ohio.
Over the course of his pastoral ministry, Dick served on the boards of Fellowship of Baptists for Home Missions, Evangelical Baptists Missions, and Baptist Church Planters. He received a number of recognitions, including the 2007 GARBC Service Award and authored How Big Is Your God?
Dick attributed the blessings of the Lord to his lifelong habit of starting the day with devotions—both at home and in the office with his staff.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy “Dot,” who faithfully served the Lord with him for 53 years.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, whom he married Sept. 4, 1999; two sons, Dr. Richard Pettitt and Dr. Warren Pettitt; his stepchildren, Susan Roby, Dr. Brian Jenkins, and Tim Jenkins; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
