OBITUARY: Richard Carleton Petty

Richard Carleton Petty was born on July 21, 1939, to Carleton Ulmont Petty and Francis Neal Furness Petty in Nashville, TN. Richard attended public schools including Central High School in Nashville, TN and decided to join the U.S. Army prior to graduation. He graduated basic training at Fort Chafee in Fort Smith, AR and later tried his hand at becoming Airborne at Fort Benning’s jump school in Georgia. He quickly decided that wasn’t for him and would regularly be heard saying, “There’s no reason to jump out of a perfectly good airplane”, for years to come. He was transferred to Aschaffenburg, Germany and later on to Bamberg, Germany to Company A Heavy Tank Battalion 33d Armorer, where he was a tank turret mechanic. Prior to his discharge date he was assigned to the armory and was trained in gunsmithing and repairing small arms munitions. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class. His service to the country was one of his proudest achievements.

After returning home from the US Army, he met the love of his life, Martha Ada Williams, in his old stomping grounds of Woodbine, TN. He had an immediate and fierce love for her as soon as they met and never wavered about his love for her. After a short courtship they were married in Tallahassee, Florida on March 30, 1960, and remained married until his passing.

Richard learned one of his greatest talents as an adolescent while visiting his uncle’s farm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa during the summer. Over those months, Richard’s uncle taught him how to drive a large delivery style truck of the era. Upon his return to Nashville from the Army, he took an interest in freight and logistics and was intent on using his skills to make a path in that industry. He worked hard as a casual laborer with various local freight lines until he was hired at Roadway Express as a dockworker. He later became a City delivery driver for Roadway Express and was one of the few recipients of an award for a million miles safe driving in the city. He was an avid member of The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 480 in Nashville and was a key figure in advocating for and acquiring several articles, that remain to this day, in the Teamsters Central States Master Freight Labor Contract. He retired in August of 1998 after a 35-year career with the company.

After his retirement, he was active as part of his High School Reunion Committee and received several achievement awards for his efforts in completing special projects. He had enjoyed playing cards from a very young age and rekindled his love for the game with other members of his VFW Lodge in Madison, TN, where he regularly attended weekly gatherings to play.

Richard had an affinity for automobiles and was regularly seen driving the newest models of the day throughout his life. He also loved 1950s Rock & Roll, R&B, and soul and was often seen riding around town, blaring it like he was a teenager.

Richard worked hard to enjoy a successful, fulfilling life that he shared with his family. Richard passed away at Tri Star Centennial Hospital on February 1, 2025, after a two-week battle with illness. He was a true and devoted patriarch to his family, and he left the world with a legacy of being a good friend to everyone. His charisma and joking nature will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Richard was preceded in death by his father mother, his aunts & uncles, many cousins, several brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, several nephews, one niece, many beloved pets and numerous friends.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of over 64 years, Martha A. Petty; their only son, Ronald C. Petty; several cousins, many nieces and nephews, several great nieces & nephews, one brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and many friends.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. Floral arrangements may be delivered to Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.