Robert Pettway
Robert Thornton Pettway, 77, of McDonald, Tennessee, passed away on December 19, 2020, in a local hospital from Covid-19.
He was born on May 3, 1943 in Alexandria, Va., and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University in 1970. He was a long-time member of Ridgedale Baptist Church, Alhambra Shrine, and the Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service. Bob was a Mason for 50 years and was active in the Scottish Rite, Valley of Atlanta A.A.S.R., a Noble in the Mystic Shrine, and the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Rebecca Thornton and George Robert Pettway, grandparents Jewell and Ruth Thornton, beloved brother-in-law, Wayne Peters, and best friend, Courtney McGrady.
He is survived by Gaila Jean Pettway, his wife of 27 years, the love of his life, soulmate and favorite fishing partner; daughter Rhonda Keaton (Robbie) of Ringgold GA; son Robert T Pettway, Jr. (Melissa) of Chattanooga TN; grandchildren Megan Pettway, of Burnet, TX; Regan, Annsley, and Reid Pettway of Chattanooga TN; great granddaughter Rylie Hisey of Marble Falls TX; brother-in-law Randall Peters (Marty) of Atlanta GA; nephew Wes Peters (Allison) of Knoxville TN; niece Amanda Woodruff (Michael) of Monroe GA; great nieces and nephews Ethan and Hannah Peters of Knoxville TN; Ava, Garrett, Sadie, Lyla, Maddie and Ellis Woodruff of Monroe GA.
Bob graduated from Decatur High School in Atlanta Georgia in May 1960. He achieved the rank of Life Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, played trumpet in the band, and varsity football. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1960 at the age of 17, specializing in Aviation Electronics. While stationed in Jacksonville Florida, he learned Morse Code to become an airborne radio operator on Navy P2-V Neptune flight crews flying anti-submarine maritime reconnaissance, and surface shipping patrols. In October, 1962, while stationed at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, his squadron was part of the blockade and reconnaissance forces activated to stop the invasion by Soviet ships bound for Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He attained the grade of 3rd Class Petty Officer and was discharged in 1964. He always considered those Navy times the greatest adventure of his life and forged lifelong friendships with his Band of Brothers that remain strong today.
He entered Georgia State University and worked as a flightline electronics technician with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation until he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1970. From 1970-1996, Bob was an agent with the United States Secret Service, protecting every president and vice president from Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew to Bill Clinton and Al Gore. For the last 13 years of his career, Bob was the Resident Agent of the Chattanooga Tennessee office.
After his retirement in 1996, Bob and Gaila traveled the country showing and breeding Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, winning many awards and competing with their champion Cody at the Westminster Kennel Club, Madison Square Gardens, New York. Their Swissies were constant companions and were always at their sides.
On Nov. 6, 2009, Bob was awarded the United States Navy’s Superior Public Service Award, and Silver Medal at a ceremony at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fl. He was recognized for organizing and leading the “No Shipmate Left Behind” campaign advocating the recovery of all 12 Patrol Squadron Five crewmen who died when LA-9 crashed in Greenland in 1962 on a routine Cold War reconnaissance mission. When Bob learned that the first recovery in 1966 had not brought back all 12 of the crew, and that remains of his former crewmates were still visible on the ice in 1995, he began a 9 year mission to force a 2nd recovery effort of the entire crew for repatriation on American soil. His mission won national support and inspired hundreds of veterans, senators, family and friends who united with Bob to bring their “brothers” home. Bob’s story was featured on Fox News, the front pages of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Jax Air News, and many other papers who praised his determination and commitment in honoring the traditions, courage and sacrifice of our military. He considered the recovery his greatest accomplishment in life.
Bob was a quiet southern gentleman of great strength and courage, loved and respected by everyone who knew him, a great American patriot who loved his God and Country, a leader of impeccable character and compassion for others, and a mentor to young people who were inspired by his love of history, infectious laugh, and great sense of humor. His memory will live forever in all the hearts he touched.
He was an avid Georgia Bulldog football fan who relished the good-hearted rivalry with his Tennessee and Auburn friends. With their shared passions for bass fishing, gardening, traveling and riding motorcycles, Bob and Gaila were inseparable and soulmates for life.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Immediately following the visitation, funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, in the Valley View Chapel with Dr. Doug Plumee officiating. Bob’s wife Gaila will deliver the eulogy.
For those unable to attend the service, you may join us by live stream on our Facebook page at: Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, Valley View Chapel.
CDC regulations will be observed during visitation and services including face coverings and social distancing.
Additional funeral services will be on Saturday, Jan. 2, at the Upper Cane Creek Church, 661 County Road 65, Fruithurst, Alabama 36262 at 2 p.m. EST/1 p.m. CST with Reverend David Ginn officiating and music by Scott Ginn. Bob will lie in state at the church an hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Upper Cane Creek Cemetery with full military honors, taps played by Chris Sanders, and a ceremonial white dove release. Pallbearers will be Robert T. Pettway, Jr., Regan Pettway, Reid Pettway, Robbie Keaton, Wes Peters and Dennis Ogrodowczyk. Honorary pallbearers are Randall Peters and Michael Woodruff.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s memory can be made to Shriners Children’s Lexington, 110 Conn Terrace, Lexington KY 40508 Attn: Philanthropy Dept., or Ridgedale Baptist Church, 1831 Hickory Valley Rd, Chattanooga TN 37421, or AFAUSSS (Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service) Foundation (oldstar.org) who fund scholarships and provide community and law enforcement support.
Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway.
Please share your memories at: ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com.