Gary Jack Pettyjohn

Gary Pettyjohn was born in Cadillac, Michigan to Weldon and Juliene Pettyjohn, the first of six children. He spent his youth in Cadillac, Houghton Lake, and Grayling, graduating from Grayling High School in 1962. On January 9, 1963 he married Donna Irene Renaud. For a brief period of time they lived in Grand Rapids before settling down in Grayling, Michigan to raise their three children. Gary was a skilled woodworker making many improvements to his home. He made furniture in addition to his hobbies as an artist and carving petoskey stones. His favorite pastime was crafting racing canoes and paddles which he sold or gave away for many years. From the mid 60's into the 70's he raced canoes with various partners. In 1972 - 1974 his brother Kirby was his partner for the AuSable River Canoe Marathon and they continued to race in other competitions. From 1997 - 2003 Gary continued the family tradition of serving his community as a member of the Crawford AuSable School Board. Previously his wife Irene Pettyjohn and his mother Judy Pettyjohn had served on the same school board. Gary and his family were active members of Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in Grayling. Gary and Irene had been married for 34 years when she sadly passed away. On June 24, 2000 Gary married Donna Hughes at Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church, Grayling. Together they traveled to Maine, Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, California, Oklahoma, and Colorado. During the summer Gary enjoyed camping at Michigan State Parks with family and friends. He was employed by the State of Michigan as a Maintenance Mechanic for the Ralph A MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon enjoying many years of work with the best co-workers and friends. Gary retired on September 1, 2010 having served the people of Michigan for 44 years. Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Pettyjohn, his parents Weldon and Juliene Pettyjohn. He is survived by his wife, Donna Pettyjohn, brothers and sisters, Penny Milliken, David Pettyjohn, Ben and Pat Pettyjohn, Kirby and Lynn Pettyjohn, Robin and Carl Kleihege. His children; Gary and Rita Pettyjohn, Beth and Jon Gilkerson, Allison and Chad Callahan, Joe and Lindsey Hughes, Ann and Matt Buehler, Chuck and Valerie Hughes His grandchildren; Jamie Pettyjohn, Evan Rose and Morgan Rose, Christina, Andrew, Nick, and Jacob Gilkerson, Cecily and Stephanie Callahan, Lydia and Kate Buehler, Elias and Parker Hughes. Great grandchild Madilynne Rose The family requests memorial gifts be designated for G.I. Liver and Kidney Research at Mayo Clinic in Gary's name. Mayo Clinic Department of Development 200 First Street S.W. Rochester, MN 55905 Mayo Clinic is a non-profit 501(c) (3) To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Jack Pettyjohn, please visit our flower store.