Michael Daniel Pettit, Sr.

9/24/49-1/29/2016

Michael Daniel Pettit, Sr., “Mike a.k.a. Clutch,” 66, of Bunker Hill, WV, passed away on Friday, January 29, 2016. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara “Bobbie”, his three children Michael D. Pettit, Jr. (Cyndi), Stephens City, VA, John C. Pettit, Sr. (Regina), Spotsylvania, VA, and David L. Pettit (Wendy), Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, John C. Pettit, Jr., Brooke A. Pettit, Michael “Rocky” Rockwell Pettit, Brandon L. Pettit, Logan Pettit, Lucas Pettit, Damien Pettit and Heidi Pettit; godsons, Jeffrey Hayden and John Sticher; brother, Timothy A. Pettit of Stephens City, VA; niece, Jessica Welzenbach; cousins, Regina Grogan (Pat) and Chuck Collins (Kathy); many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Mike was born in Washington D.C. in 1949, the son of the late John and Rita Pettit, and was raised throughout Northern Virginia. Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corps soon after graduating from Fairfax High School, where he served honorably from 1969-1973.  He and Bobbie married on September 20, 1969 at All Saints Camillus Church in Maryland, just prior to his deployment to Vietnam in 1970.  Mike was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and was later granted 100% Disability Rating due to his over exposure to Agent Orange which was ultimately the cause of death.

Mike’s many military honors included a Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He was a member (#9847754) of the VFW, Post # 5703 in Dale City, Virginia. He served as a Motor Vehicle Operator where he transported supplies and equipment from ship to DaNang Air Base and many locations in between throughout areas of I Corps.

Mike was a true entrepreneur, and has been self-employed most of his life. He has owned many companies with specialties in Safe and Lock-Smithing, Towing and Recovery, Iron Works Fabrication and Installation, and Race Car Fabrication.  Mike recently retired from Hi-Lite Solutions as a result of his illness where he had been a partner in the organization since its conception and served as Vice President of Manufacturing in Clear Brook, Virginia.

Although his accomplishments were many, his greatest joy was his family, who will miss him dearly.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel. Pastor Gene Jones will conduct a short prayer service for everyone in attendance at the visitation at 7 p.m.

A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Marine Memorial Chapel, 3251 Embry Loop, Quantico, Virginia, 22134.  Interment with full military honors will be at Quantico National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be John Pettit, Sr., Mike Pettit, Jr., John Pettit, Jr., Jeffrey Hayden, John Sticher, and Brandon Pettit.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United States Marine Corps Museum, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, Virginia 22172 or http://www.usmcmuseum.com/CTA_Donate.asp.

Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com