Robert Joshua Petty

Robert Joshua (Josh) Petty, 44, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away Friday, July 23rd in the presence of his loving family.

Josh grew up in Paragould, Arkansas before joining the ranks of the United States Marine Corps. He was a proud member of the Corps and lived it’s principles of discipline and duty in every facet of his life. Josh spent his adult life as a successful store manager for Tracker Boats/Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, MO, Independence MO, Broken Arrow, OK, and Baton Rogue, LA. In recent years Josh worked in departmental and store manager roles for Lowe’s Home Stores in both Shawnee, OK and Edmund, OK. Josh leaves behind a second family of associates who he knew deeply and spoke of with respect and admiration at every opportunity.

More than any accomplishment or accolade, Josh’s enduring legacy will live on through the individuals who were his coworkers, friends, and above all, his family. Josh led by example and never failed to be the hardest worker, the fiercest friend, or the most devoted family member. Those that met Josh could not help but be impacted by the way he poured everything he had into his work or lifting up those that had the honor to call him friend, boss, brother, son, or dad.

The crowning jewels of Josh’s life were his two daughters, Madison Petty, 24, and Mackenzi Petty, 17. The love and pride he held for his daughters cannot be measured. Of equal importance was Josh’s relationship with his long-time love, Tara Millay. For years they have shared a deep companionship and lived a beautiful life for themselves and Tara’s two sons, Lucas and Mason.

Josh is survived by his daughters Madison Petty and Mackenzi Petty; his father Bob (Anne) Petty; his step-father Steve Gramling; his sisters Regina Smith, Amie (Greg) Griffin, Jennifer (Michael) Barrow, Adrienne Hodge, and Stephanie (Michael) Sellers; his brothers Bo (Missy) Harvey, John Harvey, and Alex (Christy) Gramling; and nineteen nieces and nephews. Josh is preceded in death by his mother, Amanda Gramling.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 28th, between 6-8pm at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould, AR. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Thursday, July 29th at Heath Funeral Home with Rev. Nathan Gramling and Rev. Marion Gramling. Burial will follow at Union Grove Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions can be made in Josh’s honor to the Shawnee Family YMCA, Shawnee, OK.