PETTYJOHN, Clarence Alvin "Slim" - b. August 19, 1931 - d. February 29, 2024

[patyrn]

Clarence Alvin "Slim" Pettyjohn was born August 19, 1931 in Independence, Kansas to Albert and Goldie Carroll Pettyjohn.  He passed away from this life on February 29, 2024.

Slim grew up in Montgomery County, Kansas with his two brothers and went to grade school at Brewster School and then Grades 5-12 at the Fredonia schools in Fredonia, Kansas.  He graduated from Fredonia High School and enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the Korean Conflict.  After his discharge, he married Donna Beth Morgan on July 6, 1957, and they were blessed with three children.

Slim worked at R & A Rural Electric, Telephone United Utilities, Cessna Aircraft, State Grain Inspection, Garvey Grain, Boeing Aircraft, and Cookson Hills Children's Home.  Later in life, Slim and Donna started two successful businesses, The Swap Shop Antique Mall in Severy, Kansas and Cleansed and Polished Cleaning Service in Wichita, Kansa.

Slim was an avid farmer and loved to share his bountiful harvests with any who would enjoy it.  Summer wouldn't have been summer without the sights and sounds of the pressure canner canning green beans from the garden along with cantaloupes and tomatoes ripening on the counter. 

Clarence knew no strangers and welcomed any and all into his home to share a meal, stories, and laughter.  He lived his life on purpose for a purpose and knew that he was only on this earth until he graduated to his eternal home to be with his lifelong sweetie, Donna Beth, and his Lord and Savior.  Until that time, he served God to the best of his ability and worked to share the Gospel. 

Clarence is survived by his children, Michael (Terri), Cindy (Jerry), and Tom (Kristi); 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joyce (Bill) Bradshaw and Diane Pettyjohn; and numerous loved nephews and nieces as well as many children that passed through their home during their time at Cookson Hills Children's Home.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Beth Pettyjohn in October 2021; grandson, Jordan Pettyjohn; mother, Goldie Jared; father, Albert Pettyjohn; stepfathers, Tom Tartar and Forrest Jared; special in-laws, Tom and Edith Morgan; brothers, Melvin Pettyjohn and Frank Pettyjohn; half-sister, Opal Shaw; and sisters-in-law, Faye Pettyjohn and Sue Prytherch. 

A memorial service will held at Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th, Fredonia, Kansas on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow at Weakley Cemetery west of Fredonia, Kansas.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Victory in the Valley at 3755 E. Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67218 or online at www.victoryinthevalley.org.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)