Kenyon "Ken" Petty
May 31. 1934-February 4, 2010
Rogers, Arkansas
Kenyon “Ken” Petty, 75 of Rogers, died Thursday February 4, 2010.
He was born May 31, 1934 in Chicago to Louis Petty and Erna Eckert Petty.
Ken was a veteran of the US Navy having served aboard the Heavy Cruiser USS Des Moines
CA-134 as a Signalman Third Class. A longtime native of Chicago, Ken worked for many
years in technical sales for a small company that supplied components to John Deere, and
Caterpillar before retiring to Amelia Island, Florida, and later moving to Northwest Arkansas.
Ken’s hobbies included all manner of sports and he was always interested in a fun loving wager
and light hearted competition. Later in life he enjoyed working part time at Arlington Park Race
Track, in Arlington Heights, IL., and the annual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. He also
helped out at the Twin Links Batting Cages in Mt. Prospect, IL. Ken was active in the Lutheran
Church, having assumed many roles from teaching youth and adult Sunday school classes to
serving on the church council.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years Barbara Petty of the home; three daughters Susan
Grimes and her husband Todd of Rogers, Lisa Olsen and her husband Perry of Rogers, Kendall
Sharp and her husband Patton, of Austin, Texas; a sister Bette Lou Kallas, and her husband
Woody of Amelia Island, Florida; 8 grandchildren Paige Olsen, Peyton Olsen, Taylor Grimes,
Christian Olsen, Brett Olsen, Cameron Grimes, Bailey Grimes, and Emma Sharp.
Memorial services will be 2:00PM Monday February 8, 2010 at Christ The King Lutheran
Church, in Bentonville, with Pastor Stacy M. Hill officiating. Inurnment will take place at a
later date.
The family request in lieu of flowers that memorials be made in honor of Kenyon “Ken” Petty
to the National Ataxia Foundation 2600 Fernbrook Lane, Suite 119, Minneapolis, MN 55447-
4752; or go to: http://www.ataxia.org/giving/memorial.aspx
Phone: 763-553-0020
Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #100 of Rogers.
He was born May 31, 1934 in Chicago to Louis Petty and Erna Eckert Petty.
Ken was a veteran of the US Navy having served aboard the Heavy Cruiser USS Des Moines
CA-134 as a Signalman Third Class. A longtime native of Chicago, Ken worked for many
years in technical sales for a small company that supplied components to John Deere, and
Caterpillar before retiring to Amelia Island, Florida, and later moving to Northwest Arkansas.
Ken’s hobbies included all manner of sports and he was always interested in a fun loving wager
and light hearted competition. Later in life he enjoyed working part time at Arlington Park Race
Track, in Arlington Heights, IL., and the annual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. He also
helped out at the Twin Links Batting Cages in Mt. Prospect, IL. Ken was active in the Lutheran
Church, having assumed many roles from teaching youth and adult Sunday school classes to
serving on the church council.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years Barbara Petty of the home; three daughters Susan
Grimes and her husband Todd of Rogers, Lisa Olsen and her husband Perry of Rogers, Kendall
Sharp and her husband Patton, of Austin, Texas; a sister Bette Lou Kallas, and her husband
Woody of Amelia Island, Florida; 8 grandchildren Paige Olsen, Peyton Olsen, Taylor Grimes,
Christian Olsen, Brett Olsen, Cameron Grimes, Bailey Grimes, and Emma Sharp.
Memorial services will be 2:00PM Monday February 8, 2010 at Christ The King Lutheran
Church, in Bentonville, with Pastor Stacy M. Hill officiating. Inurnment will take place at a
later date.
The family request in lieu of flowers that memorials be made in honor of Kenyon “Ken” Petty
to the National Ataxia Foundation 2600 Fernbrook Lane, Suite 119, Minneapolis, MN 55447-
4752; or go to: http://www.ataxia.org/giving/memorial.aspx
Phone: 763-553-0020
Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #100 of Rogers.