Jim Petty
Jimmy "Jim" Lee Petty was born on December 9th, 1953 to Jackie Rea Petty and Mary Cletus Gruver. He passed away on April 15th, 2025. As a child, Jim attended Martinson Elementary, Allison Middle, and graduated from West High. During childhood, he would later become big brother to six younger siblings, Jerry, Jay, Joe, Julie, Jeff, and Vera Jane. Growing up, Jim enjoyed working on the family race team. He enjoyed rebuilding HVAC units and other small appliances, with his dad, Jack. He also helped his mother, Mary, raise his 6 younger siblings. When they weren't at the race track as a family, they were causing neighborhood mischief at 250 N. Charles, a 2 bed, 1 bath home for 7 kids and 2 adults!
Before graduating high school in 1971, Jim obtained his Eagle Scout award through the Boy Scouts. Jim joined the United States Marine Corps right after his 18th birthday, officially joining in early 1972. He entered Boot Camp at Parris Island in South Carolina. During his time with the Marines, he served in the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Marine Corps Aviation Ground Support. Jim primarily worked on F-4 Phantoms. In one week alone, he saved the government over $100,000.00 in repair costs rebuilding engines that otherwise would have been sent off for months of work, and at a greater cost. He got into a bit of trouble for that stunt, as he did it at night and without orders, but the government decided to let it slide with the money saved. In 1979, he decided nearly 8 years was enough time, and he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Little did he know, he started a Petty family tradition of entering the United States Marine Corps.
Upon returning from the Marines, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, riding Harley Davidsons, being a drummer for various bands, doing odd jobs here and there, and in 1985 he went to a company Christmas party where they needed a Santa to fill in. He happily accepted the challenge, and fell in love with the role. He enjoyed watching children's faces light up and seeing the magic in their eyes, and he continued the tradition every year since, not only as a professional Santa, but he also volunteered his time to several children’s charities. He was known as Wichita's #1 Santa, and he enjoyed connecting with other “Kris Kringles” throughout the region.
Another passion of his was racing. All things racing. Jim was a total "walking encyclopedia of knowledge" when it came to anything NASCAR, local Kansas dirt track racing, and the Indy 500. You could ask him just about anything racing related, and he knew if off the top of his head. If he didn't know, he would get the answer quickly. In addition to his knowledge, he also was a professional racetrack photographer. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at 81 Speedway.
While working at Century Manufacturing, Jim met Vicky Parker. They wed soon after meeting, and welcomed daughter, Sarah in 1988. Later, in 1991, they welcomed another daughter, Ashley. Anyone who knew Jim, knew how important family was to him. He spent so much time being a tremendous Dad to his daughters and a great husband to his wife. Even when he was doing what Dads do best, and embarrassing them with "Dad Jokes".
Jim spent most of his working career at Douglas Black and White. He filled many roles there, with his last role being laboratory manager. While he never “officially” retired, he did spend 25 years at Douglas Black and White.
At some point, he began replicating a Tim Flock 1952 Hudson Hornet with his Dad, Jack. Once the project was complete, they enjoyed touring it around to different car shows, and racing events. Once the Disney movie “Cars” came out, many young kids lovingly referred to the car as Doc Hudson, and loved having their photos taken with it. Boy did that make Jim smile ear to ear.
He loved spending time with his mom, Mary before her passing in 2003, and with his dad, Jack, until his passing in 2016. Any time he could get some quality time in with his siblings, he would certainly do so. He loved going on any road trip he could with them. Jim made a friend any and everywhere he went. During his time helping run Blacktop Nationals, Jim added many more friends to his already long list.
However, in October 2007, he earned the title of his favorite role yet, grandpa, when his grandson Aidan was born. They were 2 peas in a pod, and visited 47 states together. Then came grandson Jackson, in July 2012. He loved taking Aidan and Jack on countless fishing adventures, race nights, and so many road trips. Jim's 3rd grandson, Parker was born in August 2022.
Grandpa loved holding Parker, and was the very first Santa to hold him when he was just a few months old. Since Parker and Ashley lived in Washington state, Jim enjoyed making silly faces at Parker over FaceTime and making him giggle. One thing Jim was so excited for, was the birth of his and Vicky's first granddaughter, in a few short months in July 2025. He was so thrilled to drive to Washington to meet her when she made her appearance. Unfortunately, his health declined rapidly the last couple of months, and he passed away at his current place of employment, Mel Hambelton Ford, where he was working on a huge racing project very near and dear to his heart.
To know Jim was to know an incredible dad, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to so many. He had too many friends to count! He was in many luncheon clubs and was always out and about with someone, doing something. A big part of his life was being a member of Toast Masters for many years.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jackie Rae Petty, and Mary Cletus Gruver Graves, brothers Jerry Petty, and Jeff Petty. Jim is survived by his wife of 37 years, Vicky Petty, and daughters Sarah (Donnie) Crable/Petty, and Ashley (Taylor) Mather, grandsons Aidan, Jackson, & Parker, and baby girl Mather due in July 2025, step-grandchildren Jordan, & Rheanna, brothers Joe (Marilyn) Petty, Jay (Jean) Petty, sisters Julie Arnold, and Vera Jane (Vinny) Argiro, and sister-in-law Denice Petty. Jim is survived by many, many nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memories have been established with St. James Episcopal Church and Salt City Racing. If you with to donate via check please put “Jim Petty” in the memo line. If you would like to donate to the church online, please visit https://onrealm.org/stjameswichita/-/form/give/now.
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